17 cops didn’t submit counter-affidavits on student’s death in Caloocan: PNP

September 1, 2017

Seventeen police officers, including four who were said to be involved in an anti-drug operation last August in Caloocan City which led to the death of a 17-year-old student, did not submit their counter-affidavits to the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) on August 25.

"They did not submit on the given period," said IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo.

Among those told to submit their affidavits are Chief Insp. Amor Cerillo, Police Officer 3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremias Pereda and PO1 Jerwin Cruz, who were tagged as involved in Delos Santos' death on Aug. 16

Also included are former Caloocan police chief Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna and 12 other policemen who took part in the operation.

The next step, Triambulo added, is to endorse the the case to a hearing officer for summary dismissal proceedings.

“More or less it's around one month for the hearing officer to resolve the case,” said Triambulo, citing rules from the National Police Commission.

Triambulo earlier said Bersaluna was included based on the doctrine of command responsibility.

The police officers could face penalties which include demotion of rank and dismissal from the service.

Triambulo expressed confidence in their case against the policemen. "What I can say is that our evidence is very airtight," he said. DMS