The Philippine National Police yesterday announced that policemen acquitted in the Maguindanao massacre will be allowed to go back to active police service.
Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said that of the 62 accused PNP personnel, 19 were found guilty while 36 others were acquitted of the charges. Seventeen of those acquitted were placed on automatic leave of absence without pay while under detention while others remain at-large.
“While the PNP hails the guilty verdict meted on the principal accused and accessories to the murder of 57 (sic) individuals in the infamous Maguindanao massacre in 2009, the PNP rules and regulations also allow accused PNP personnel acquitted of charges to return to duty,” Banac said.
However, Banac clarified that the acquitted cops will not be automatically reinstated into full duty status. The PNP will restore the full duty status of only the 17 cops who were detained should they wish to go back to police service.
“Now that they are set free by virtue of the acquittal, we are now conducting a study of their status and individual case folders to prepare our recommendation should any of them apply for restoration to full duty status,” he said.
“Ang PNP ang magre-restore sa kanila into full duty status subalit nasa kanila ang option kung nais pa nila sa serbisyo.”
The 17 cops will have to undergo mandatory drug test, neuro-psychiatric test, and medical examination to determine their fitness after having been away from the service for a long period of time, he said. (Martin Sadongdong)