Only 53 files: PNP hands over drug war-linked killing cases to DOJ

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for review the cases concerning deaths during anti-illegal drugs operations, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said.

Guevarra said the DOJ received the cases Tuesday (June 2) after he and PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar agreed last May 21 that the DOJ will get access to the 61 where the PNP found the policemen involved as liable.

However, the secretary said the DOJ received only 53 cases as the rest have yet to be fully disposed of by the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS).

“We shall immediately go over the contents of these files and decide how to proceed further,” he said.

Guevarra added that the review that will be conducted on the 53 cases does not require the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We do not find it necessary to seek the President’s approval for any criminal investigation and prosecution that may ensue, but we shall keep in mind his concern for national security as we evaluate each and every case,” the secretary said.

Duterte just recently declared that human rights groups can’t have full access to the records on the killings of drug suspects and communist rebels due to national security issues.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)