The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said the three-year-old slaying of Spanish businessman Diego Bello Lafuente in Siargao Island has been revived after the policemen tagged for complicity in the case turned themselves in on Feb. 9.
The three suspects were escorted by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. when they surrendered to the DOJ.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he asked for an account of the events from the policemen during a brief meeting.
The DOJ chief also explained the framework within which the case will be tried.
“I can’t promise anything except a fair trial,” Remulla said.
“The prosecutor’s decision depends on the evidence,” he added.
Lafuente, an alleged drug dealer, was killed in 2020 during an anti-drug operation in Siargao.
The suspects, whose identities were not immediately disclosed, claimed that Lafuente pulled a gun on them. Lafuente’s case was stalled when the policemen involved disappeared after the court issued warrants of arrest against them.