Espenido, 3 other cops to appear at DOJ probe on murder charges

Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido (PNA Photo)

MANILA — Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, Ozamiz City police chief, and three other police officers are set to appear before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday for the preliminary investigation on the criminal charges filed against them in connection with the death of suspected robbers last June.

The DOJ earlier summoned Espenido, Chief Inspector Glyndo Lagrimas, Senior Police Officer 4 Renato Martir Jr., and Police Officer 1 Sandra Louise Nadayag to answer charges of murder and arbitrary detention.

The policemen are accused of killing the suspected robbers during the series of raids in Cabinti and Balintawak villages in Ozamis last June 1 where six other suspects were arrested.

Police recovered firearms, pieces of jewelry, and sachets of suspected shabu from the suspects during the raids.

The four police officers will appear before investigating Prosecution Attorney Loverhette Jeffrey Villordon in hearings on Tuesday and on August 22.

Espenido went to the DOJ last Thursday to personally get a copy of the complaints filed by relatives of Francisco Manzano, one of the nine suspected robbers killed during the encounter.

Last July 30, the Ozamiz police chief led the anti-drug operations in the city which resulted in the death of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and 14 others.

The slain mayor’s children, Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez and Reynaldo Jr., were arrested during the raid and later charged with drug possession and illegal possession of firearms. (PNA)