Department of Justice (黑料社 FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� A panel of prosecutors at the (DOJ) has dismissed the murder complaint filed against 17 police officers over the death of labor leader Emmanuel 鈥淢anny鈥� Asuncion.
Asuncion was among the nine activists killed during the March 7, 2021鈥檚 simultaneous police-military operations in Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal provinces 鈥� now known as 鈥淏loody Sunday.鈥�
鈥淲e lament the demise of Emmanuel Asuncion. However, complainant [victim鈥檚 wife Liezel] and the evidence she submitted failed to discharge the obligation to prove the existence of a crime and identify the perpetrators thereof,鈥� read the resolution of the panel of prosecutors.
鈥淚n the absence of proof, there could be no probable cause to charge the respondents,鈥� the resolution further stated.
The following police officers were cleared of murder:
- Lt. Elbert M. Santos
- Lt. Shay Jed Sapitula
- Senior Master Sgt.Hector R. Cardinales
- Master Sgt.Ariel P. Dela Cruz
- Staff Sgt. Jemark Sajul
- Cpl. Ernie A. Ambuyoc
- Cpl. Mark John A. Defiesta
- Cpl. Arjay Garcia
- Cpl. Caidar Dimacangun
- Cpl. Bryan Sanchez
- Cpl. Ericson Lucido
- Pat. Jayson Maala
- Pat. Juan Plite
- Pat. Jonathan Tatel
- Pat. Prince Benjamin Torres
- 笔补迟.听听Jaime Turingan
- Pat. Lopera Rey PJ Dacara
According to the panel of prosecutors, the records of the case will be returned to the , which will then conduct a further investigation to determine the identities of the assailants.