(Eagle News)–The Department of Justice on Wednesday, Oct. 16, kicked off its reinvestigation into the cases against the 13 policemen behind an irregular drug raid in Mexico, Pampanga in 2013.
Police Major Rodney Baloyo, who was cited in contempt by a Senate joint panel probing the matter for lying and was ordered jailed at the New Bilibid Prison, was a no-show in the hearing at the DOJ in Manila but he was represented by his lawyer.
The other 12 policemen were, however, present.
Baloyo and his men are facing charges for misappropriation, planting of evidence and custody and disposition of evidence under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
In 2017, the charges against them were dismissed but these were subjected to an automatic review by the Office of the Justice Secretary.
During the hearing, the DOJ special panel of prosecutors granted the motion of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group,the acting complainant, for it to submit additional evidence and a supplemental and amended affidavit.
The CIDG said the additional evidence included the transcripts of the Senate panel hearings on the ninja cops issue on Oct. 1, 3 and 9.
The CIDG has been given five days, or until Oct. 21, to submit the documents.
Respondents Eligio Valeroso and Anthony Lacsmana were also given five days to submit their supplemental affidavits.
Baloyo’s camp, on the other hand, said they would no longer submit additional evidences and would just file their comment to the new evidences and affidavit of the CIDG.
The DOJ set the next hearing to Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. Moira Encina
