PNP says mother of witness to Sagay killings has right to seek justice

December 4, 2018

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is everyone's right to seek justice if they feel their rights were violated.

This was the response of Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr., PNP spokesman, after the mother of a 14-year-old witness in the killing of nine farmers in Sagay town in Negros Occidental last October 20 filed  charges of child abuse against Sagay City police head Chief Inspector Robert Manqueto, Senior Police Officer 1 Julie Ann Diaz and Police Officer Christine Magpusaw.

"I haven't seen the complaint but if it's true, that is everyone's right to seek justice if they think any party or individual violated their (human) rights," Durana said.

"What I know the filing (of case) in Sagay is based on the evidence they gathered," he said.

the father of the witness, Vic Pedaso, filed charges of kidnapping against human rights group Karapatan over their alleged detention of his son, alias Lester, who reportedly witnessed the Sagay massacre. Ella Dionisio/DMS