THE Department of Justice has subpoenaed to a preliminary investigation 17 police officers tagged in the deaths of a fisherfolk couple who were among those killed during simultaneous police and military operations in Calabarzon on March 7, 2021 dubbed “Bloody Sunday.”
Ordered by the three-man panel of prosecutors to appear before the DOJ main office in Manila today are PLt.Col. Joseph Nandu Jr., PLt. Arjay Santos, PMSg. Rafael Roque, PMSg. Mark Tolentino, PSSg. Elvern Cacatian, PSSg. Rodel Sillacay, PSSg. Edgar Brinas, PCpl. Aldrin Gabrillo, PCpl. Allen Lugue, Pat. Julio Bautista, Pat. Ray Boom Boom Dalingay, Pat. Grizzly Paras, Pat. Rogelio Ninolla, Pat. Ruel Tenoso, Pat. Rich John Melniel Tumacder, Pat. Renzo Santos, and Pat. Mark Lester Padul.
The 17 are all members of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in Region IV-A or the Southern Tagalog region.
The police officers are facing murder charges filed by the National Bureau of Investigation in connection with the deaths of couple Ana Marie “Chai” Lemita-Evangelista and Ariel Evangelista in Nasugbu, Batangas.
The couple were human rights defenders and leaders of the progressive group for fisherfolk Ugnayan ng Mamamayan Laban sa Pagwawasak ng Kalikasan.
Both defenders have been strong advocates of the protection of rights of members of their communities
On March 7, 2021 authorities conducted simultaneous raids in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Rizal that resulted to the deaths of nine activists and arrests of scores of others.
Reports showed that authorities were able to recover explosives, several firearms, and subversive documents during the said operations in Calabarzon.
The simultaneous raids were carried out by the Philippine National Police, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to serve search warrants for loose firearms and illegal possession of explosives.
