11 Laguna cops probed over minor’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — Eleven intelligence officers of the Laguna police are facing a pre-charge investigation for grave irregularity in connection with the death of two drug suspects in Biñan, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on yesterday.

Lt. Col. Arvin Avelino, chief of the Laguna police intelligence unit, was included in the administrative charges due to command responsibility, according to the PNP-Internal Affairs Service.

The charges stemmed from the allegations of the family of 16-year-old Johndy Maglinte, who was one of the two killed in the police operation on June 16.

The family said Maglinte and his companion Antonio Dalit were shot dead while handcuffed.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the Regional Crime Laboratory of the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) police found no handcuff marks on the remains of Dalit and Maglinte.

“Based on the sworn statements taken by the special investigation task group, no statement about the suspects being gunned down while handcuffed were given, but we still want to find out the truth,” Eleazar said yestersday.

“We encourage those who claim such to come out and give us the statement. The IAS has filed corresponding administrative charges,” he said, adding the 10 officers involved in the operation remain in restrictive custody.

Eleazar said Dalit’s relatives have so far expressed no interest in pursuing the administrative or criminal cases against the Laguna operatives.

He said Maglinte’s mother has asked for more time in filing a formal complaint, or at least until after the burial on July 1.

Police said the statement of Maglinte’s mother could serve as basis for the filing of homicide charges against the officers.