(Eagle News) — Ozamiz police chief Jovie Espenido on Thursday, Sept. 20, said he and his co-accused would appeal the Department of Justice’s decision recommending the filing of homicide cases against them.
“Magmotion for reconsideration kami to inform (the) DOJ na legitimate ang operation namin na nangyari sa Ozamiz,” Espenido said in a television interview, speaking on behalf of Senior Police Officer 4 Renato Martir Jr. and Police Officer 1 Sandra Louise Nadayag.
The three and several John Does are facing six counts of homicide for the deaths of Jeffrey Manzano, Romeo Libatan, and four others during what the police argued was a follow-up operation on robbery-hold-up suspects in 2017.
According to Ozamiz, the police merely responded to a shooting that was initiated by the other group.
“Gusto ko sana malaman sino ang organizer..Paano namin malaman if papatayin mo lang?” Espenido argued.
Although the DOJ decision gave the police “low morale,” he said it would not deter him from doing his job.
Espenido led the July 2017 raid that led to the deaths of several individuals including Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., who was allegedly linked to illegal drugs.
Among those arrested in the raid were Parojinog’s daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Princess.
Espenido also led the raid in the house of self-confessed drug distributor Kerwin Espinosa in Albuera, Leyte in 2016.
“Hindi mangyari na maging hindrance sa trabaho ko ito,” he said.
