THE public can expect more policemen committing abuses and violating the law in the conduct of the anti-drug war campaign to be convicted.
This was the promise made by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla after a Pampanga court found a policeman guilty in the 2016 kidnap-slay of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo.
Earlier this week, the Angeles City Regional Trial Court sentenced SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel and Jerry Omlang to reclusion perpetua for Jee’s kidnap-slay.
Sta. Isabel was a member of the defunct Anti-Illegal Drugs Group that was disbanded by former President Duterte due to criticism and embarrassment after Jee was strangled to death inside Camp Crame, the PNP headquarters.
Duterte also ordered a temporary halt to the anti-drug crackdown after Jee’s killing.
“We expect more of that because many of the men in uniform did not do their jobs properly and probably even went to the other side. So, if they are caught doing their thing, the law will not choose who to convict. If it is the cops or the other violators of the law, so be it,” Remulla said.
Remulla earlier defended the ongoing investigation on the killings and abuses perpetrated by erring law enforcers in the guise of the crackdown on the illegal drugs trade.
He said there is no need for international bodies, such as the International Criminal Court, to intervene and conduct an investigation since the country’s domestic judicial system is fully functioning.
Prior to Sta. Isabel’s conviction, the Caloocan City RTC convicted police officers Arnel Oares, Jeremias Pereda and Jerwin Cruz in the 2017 murder of 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos.
