Justice Secretary Guevarra says “Bloody Sunday” now under EO 35 inter-agency committee
MANILA – Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said they have already placed reported extra-judicial killings which recently took place under an inter-agency committee created under Executive Order No. 35.
“We are not saying that this is exactly a case of EJK. But based on the initial information that we gather, there is a possibility that it may actually fall under the jurisdiction of the EO 35 committee,” Secretary Guevarra said at the midday press briefing hosted by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
He explained during the investigation, they will determine whether in fact this is a case of EJK.
“So that is not a final conclusion as yet. This will be borne out by the actual investigation,” he added.
He revealed the Department of Justice which he leads has created the necessary special investigation teams to investigate each of these incidents that took place in the CALABARZON area, including the recent killing of a labor leader.
However, the movements of these teams have been somehow restricted by the ongoing situation where certain areas are under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). He assured the general public the teams will submit their initial reports at the soonest possible time.
In a related development, Secretary Guevarra said the acting NBI chief assured him of the agency’s report on the bloody encounter between elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police at a popular mall in Quezon City.
“They have already wound up their investigation on the matter and they will be submitting the progress report very soon,” he further said. (Melo M. Acuña)
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. (Screen grab from Malacanang Press Briefing/April 5,2021/Melo M. Acuna)