SAN JUAN, Ilocos Sur — Murder charges
were filed against two police officers tagged in the killing of a 15-year-old
girl in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur who were arrested Monday.
S/Sgts.
Marawi Torda and Dante Ramos of the San Juan, Ilocos Norte police station were respondents in the
complaints filed by the victim and her 18-year-old cousin for acts of
lasciviousness and rape, respectively, on July 2, according to Cabugao police
chief Capt. Ramil Llarenas.
The victim
was shot dead by motorcycle-riding men shortly after she and her cousin filed
their complaints on July 4.
The victim
and her cousin were reportedly earlier accosted by the suspects during a party
in San Juan for alleged violation of quarantine protocols on July 1.
Raquedan said
the two police officers offered to accompany the victims on their way home.
The family of
Pineda now wants the PNP to also sanction Cabugao police women’s desk officer
PSSG Merly Joy Pascua, the lady cop tasked to assist rape victims but denied
Pineda’s request for a police escort.
Pascua allegedly arrogantly told them,
“Ano gusto niyo, babantayan na lang namin kayo?”
On their way
home from Cabugao police station, Torda and Ramos allegedly shot and killed Pineda.
Capt.
Benjamin Raquedan, San Juan police chief, said the two police officers were
relieved from their posts and brought to the custodial center of the provincial
police office to face investigation.
According to
the statement issued
by the PNP, llocos Sur police filed murder charges against Ramos and Torda
for Pineda’s death on Jul. 3. At press time, the two were reportedly under
restrictive custody at the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office in Bantay town.
They can’t leave the office unless accompanied by
another officer or guard while awaiting further disposition by the court.
In a
statement, PNP Chief General Archie Gamboa said he wants the “stiffest penalty”
against the officers and referred to them as “not men in uniform but animals
who deserve to be jailed for life. They have no mercy, no hearts, they are
police who are worthless.”
The statement
also said Gamboa ordered the Police Regional Office 1 chief to provide security
to Pineda’s 18-year-old cousin who also filed charges against Ramos.
The PNP chief
said that he wants to make sure that all PNP prosecution witnesses are
available in court proceedings to expedite the murder trial while conducting
the summary administrative procedures.
On Jul. 4,
the National Police Commission Regional Office No. 1 issued
a statement condemning the killing of Pineda and mentioned that they
are conducting a separate investigation, however, their statement did not
mention the sexual assault.
The Napolcom
Regional Office No. 1 said they will continue to maintain a policy of impartiality
and due process to keep the PNP in check throughout this investigation.
On Jul.
6, Ilocos
Sur Gov. Ryan Singson said that he also wanted the National Bureau of
Investigation to conduct a separate investigation into Pineda’s murder.
“I want the
[NBI] to investigate the case despite the police doing their investigation to
have a fair investigation. To the family of the victim, I assure you that we
are fully supporting you as we will all seek justice,” Singson said.
Pineda’s
relatives who accompanied her to the station were reported to be unharmed,
thus, leaving many to speculate that the assailants targeted her right after
she filed charges. This has driven several people to see her case as an act of
silencing a victim of sexual assault.
As a call for
justice, netizens including some of Pineda’s friends and classmates denounced
her murder.
Along with
#JusticeforFabel, many demanded accountability until her murderers are
punished. – With a report from Raymund Catindig
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