THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday began its investigation into the murder and arbitrary detention complaints filed against the policemen involved in the killing of the "Ozamiz 9".
Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) turned up at the DOJ Tuesday to attend the preliminary hearing on the complaints filed against him by Carmelita Manzano, wife of Fancracio Manzano and mother of Jerry Manzano, two of those killed in the raid last June 1.
Chief Inspector Glyndo Lagrimas, Senior Police Officer 4 Renato Martir Jr., and Police Officer 1 Sandra Louise Nadayag, also respondents in the case, were present in the hearing.
During the preliminary investigation Associate Prosecution Attorney Loverhette Jeffrey Villordon decided to give the respondents until August 29 to submit their reply affidavits after they requested for more time as they only get a copy of the complaints filed against them last week.
The complaints against the Ozamiz cops stemmed from the series of raids in Cabinti and Balintawak villages in Ozamiz City that led to the killing of nine people and arrest of six others allegedly involved in the series of robbery and shooting incidents in the city.
Espenido said the operations against Ozamiz 9 were legitimate.
"Naka blotter 'yun. Justifiable ang pagtrabaho natin. Wanted persons ang mga taong yun at involved sa bank robbery at aktwal na encounter yun," Espenido said.
Espenido recently received an award from President Rodrigo Duterte for his "accomplishments" in line with the president's war on drugs.
Espenido led the deadly predawn raid that killed Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and 15 others. (VoxPop Philippines)