PNP says QC cops may be liable if they did not properly turn over victim’s body to family

August 12, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said Quezon City cops may be held liable if they did not follow  procedures before the body of a victim is turned over to the family.

“They need to settle it. Once it’s settled, it will be released to the family. It is hard on the part of the PNP once the family of Manuel Santiago claim his remains when they already released it to the family of Randy Echanis,” said Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, spokesman.

“The PNP will also be held liable for negligence, so it is really procedural and (the body) will only be released to the family,” he added.

On Monday, the Anakpawis Partylist group claimed one of the victims from a stabbing incident in Novaliches  is their chairperson, Randall Echanis.

 Quezon City police insist the victim is a certain Manuel Santiago based on the identification card they found in the crime scene.

The family of Echanis cannot claim his body from the funeral parlor where police brought him. Police said investigation is going on.

Banac said they have full trust and confidence with the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) which is handling the case.

“We have our full trust and confidence with (the) QCPD to and investigate the incident,” he said.

Banac said  the PNP cannot give any comment on the claim of Anakpawis Partylist that the victim died from a gunshot wound in his head.

“We are waiting for the result of the investigation,” Banac said.

In a statement, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said the “Manuel Santiago ID” is a “stupid and outrageous move perpetrated by state forces to water down the extrajudicial killing of Echanis to a common crime”. Ella Dionisio/DMS