The Department of Justice (DOJ) has affirmed the dismissal of the murder complaint against 17 policemen for the death on March 7, 2021, of activist Emmanuel “Manny” Asuncion.
The DOJ’s panel of prosecutors denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the wife of Asuncion, who was one of nine activists who died during the joint operation of law enforcers in Southern Tagalog provinces to ferret out alleged members and supporters of communist terrorist groups (CTGs).
Affirmed was the dismissal of the complaint against PLt. Elbert M. Santos. PLt. Shay Jed Sapitula, PSMS Hector R. Cardinales, PMSgt. Ariel P. Dela Cruz, PSSg. Joemark Sajul, PCpl. Ernie A. Ambuyoc, PCCpl. Mark John A. Defiesta, PCpl. Arjay Garcia, PCpl. Caidar Dimacangun, PCpl. Bryan Sanchez, PCpl, Ericson Lucido, Pat. Jayson Maala, Pat. Juanito Plite, Pat. Jonathan Tatel, Pat. Prince Benjamin Torres, Pat. Jaime Turingan, and Pat. Rey PJ Dacara Lopera.
“While the motion for reconsideration attached documents that were not part of the initial complaint, it cannot be considered as newly discovered evidence that would warrant a reversal or modification of the assailed Resolution. It appears that these documents were already available and in existence at the time of the filing of the complaint, hence, it is suspicious why they were not submitted before the Panel as part of the complainant’s evidence. This belated submission at this stage of the proceedings has no material bearing anymore,” it added.
Asuncion was killed at the Worker’s Assistance Center Satellite Office
located in Salitran I, Dasmarinas City, Cavite. The policemen maintained that Asuncion fought back or “nanlaban” during the service of search warrants.
The resolution was signed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Rodan ZG Parrocha and Assistant State Prosecutor Moises Yao Acayan with the
approving signatures of Prosecutor General Benedicto A. Malcontento and Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Anna Noreen T. Devanadera.