Ni: Hannah L. Torregoza
Tinawag ng ilang senador na “anomalous and suspicious” ang desisyon ni Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II na ibaba sa homicide ang kasong murder sa mga suspek sa pamamaslang kay Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa.
Dahil sa pagbaba ng kaso ng mga akusado, nagawang makapagpiyansa ng ilan sa mga ito.
Binatikos ni Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon ang nasabing hakbangin ni Aguirre at sinasabing ang ginawa ng kalihim ay isang “big blow to the justice system in the country.”
Ping Lacson, kinilala ambag nina PNoy, PBBM sa estado ng kaso ni Mary Jane Veloso
“The abrupt downgrading of the case against Supt. Marvin Marcos and his cohorts from murder to homicide is a big blow to the justice system in the country,” sabi ni Drilon, na dating kalihim ng DoJ. “This is a very disappointing development insofar as the ability of the government to prevent and prosecute police abuses and irregularities is concerned.”
Isa umano itong insult sa Senado na nagsagawa ng masusing imbestigasyon sa kaso at kalaunan ay nagrekomendang kasuhan ng murder si Supt. Marvin Marcos at ang ilang tauhan nito sa pamamaslang sa alkalde sa loob ng selda noong nakaraang taon.
“Secretary Aguirre told us under oath here in the Senate that he himself considers the killing as premeditated. He even pointed out that the conduct of Espinosa’s arrest was not consistent with the PNP’s procedures,” ani Drilon.
“It begs now the question: Why did the DOJ suddenly reverse its earlier decision,which was supported by ample evidence? Why not allow the court to determine if it’s murder or homicide?” sabi pa ni Drilon.
“I agree with Senator (Panfilo) Lacson that the Senate should denounce this maneuvering of the DoJ. Otherwise, no one would believe any investigation that the Senate will be conducting in the future,” dagdag pa ni Drilon.
