Survivor to file case vs ex-HPG officials

CEBU, Philippines -  The lone survivor in last February’s ambush in Barangay Corro, Dalaguete, which killed lawyer Noel Archival and two others, is set to file a complaint before Camp Crame against the former officials of the Highway Patrol Group-7 tagged as the suspects.

Prosecution lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo said his client Paolo Cortes will file the complaint for absent without official leave against Senior Superintendent Romualdo Iglesia, Senior Inspector Joselito Lerion, and Police Officer 1 Alex Bacani tomorrow.

Villagonzalo said they can initiate the filing of the complaint before the Camp Crame to fast track the summary proceedings for the dismissal of the three policemen based on AWOL.

“Kami lang ang magtukmod, but ang PHAS (Personnel Holding and Accounting Section) g’yud ang mag-decide,” he said.

Iglesia, Lerion, and Bacani were tagged in the killing of Archival, his driver Alejandro Jayme, and bodyguard Candido Miñoza.

Cortes, through Villagonzalo, has earlier sent a letter to the office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines asking for assistance to find the three policemen who are now reportedly nowhere to be found.

The three have been assigned at PHAS of HPG in Camp Crame while the case is being investigated.

Villagonzalo said their camp has not yet received any reply from the AFP but is certain their letter was received.

He added that the manhunt operation against the three accused continues.

Meanwhile, Barangay Talamban, Cebu City councilman and Archival’s brother Nelson expressed disappointment against the HPG and PNP for not giving their family any word confirming that the three policemen are already out of their custody.

“Even a single word, wa gyud until now. Di ta ka-start sa kaso kay wa man sila. They are taking us for granted. They are ignoring us,” he said, adding that their Christmas celebration had been different now that his brother Noel is already gone.

Nelson said that as of now, they do not have any hint yet as to the whereabouts of the three HPG-7 officials, but added that they will continue gathering information.

For now, he said their lawyers are already preparing to file an administrative case against the officials of the PNP, especially the PHAS chief.

HPG spokeswoman Superintendent Elizabeth Velasquez has confirmed to The FREEMAN last December 18 that the three were no longer there and, based on their records, have been unaccounted since December 12.

Nelson said he may visit Camp Crame again to make a follow-up on the letter of his other brother, Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival, which was sent to PNP Officer-in-Charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, asking him to help them arrest the three accused.  (FREEMAN)