No need to create probe team on Amier Mangacop slay case: PNP

PRO 11 spokesperson Major Eudisan Gultiano clarified during the AFP-PNP Press Corps media briefing on Wednesday (July 6) at The Royal Mandaya Hotel that SITG will only be created whenever a major case or crime of violence occurs.

Gultiano made this clarification following reports that the police had created the Task Group for Mangacop slay case where the suspect was identified as Dr. Marvin Rey Andrew R. Pepino, a Non-Uniform Personnel assigned at PRO 11 as a medical doctor.

According to Gultiano, in this case, SITG is not needed anymore since the suspect had already been arrested shortly after the incident took place.

“Siguro namali lang yong use ng term, siguro may focus lang on the investigation pero kinonduct natin is the same investigation-regular investigation,” Gultiano said.

She said on the part of the police, the case is considered resolved after the arrest of the suspect and the murder case against Pepino had already been filed by San Pedro Police Station last Monday (July 4) but a preliminary investigation (PI) is being conducted as requested by the latter.

“Ngayon nagka-conduct ng preliminary investigation, pag sinabing preliminary investigation mag presenta ng ebidensya, itong mga parties to determine whether i-ho-hold talaga for trial itong suspect at sa ngayon the details of the case and affidavits are already prepared and already filed and the complaint was already filed before the Prosecutor’s office. A complaint for murder was prepared kaso lang may karapatan naman ang respondent na mag request ng preliminary investigation,” Gultiano said.

She said “we will let the fiscal decide on the resolution of the case.”

Apart from the criminal charges, Pepino will also be facing an administrative complaint being employed as NUP-Doctor at the Regional Police.

Meanwhile, the camp of the victim on Tuesday has requested for the transfer of the case investigation from the police to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Davao for fair and just investigation.

Gultiano said the Regional Police is firm with its stand not to meddle in any  legal procedure matter further ensuring there is no special treatment given to the suspect.

Colonel Alberto Lupaz, chief of Davao City Police Office (DCPO), earlier assured that the public will be impartial in the investigation of the shooting incident involving the son of the late Police Brigadier General Marvin Manuel Pepino.