“WE have faith that the courts will uphold the principles of justice and provide a transparent and unbiased examination of the evidence presented,” he added.

The official said that within their organization, the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO) plays a vital role in championing human rights.

“We have taken concrete steps to promote and protect human rights by establishing dedicated human rights desks in every police station across the country. These desks serve as accessible channels for individuals to voice their concerns, file complaints, and seek assistance in cases of potential human rights violations. We are committed to addressing these concerns promptly and ensuring that all citizens are treated with dignity and respect,” he said.

Furthermore, the strict observance of human rights is deeply ingrained in the PNP Operational Procedure (POP), Brig. Gen. Maranan emphasized.

“This comprehensive set of guidelines is a constant reminder to all members of the PNP to conduct operations with the utmost respect for human rights. These protocols outline the necessary steps to ensure that police operations are carried out in a manner that upholds the rights of all individuals involved,” he said.

The multiple murder case took a twist as one of the detained suspects formally recanted his previous statements given to investigators. However, the PNP said all is not lost.

“While self-serving motives can influence testimonial evidence, our reliance on objective facts and forensic findings provides an unassailable foundation. We place paramount importance on ensuring that justice is served, and we will not allow any distractions or attempts to undermine the investigation’s integrity,” Brig. Gen. Maranan said.

“Rest assured, the SITG Degamo will persist in pursuing the truth with determination, striving to bring closure to the case and deliver justice for the victims and their grieving families. The pursuit of justice, coupled with the protection of human rights, will remain our top priority, and we will leave no stone unturned in our quest for truth and accountability,” he ended.

Last week, four suspected members of a private armed group said to be connected with suspended Negros Oriental (2nd District) Representative Arnolfo ‘Arnie’ Teves were arrested by agents of the Police Regional Office 7 in separate manhunt operations in the province.

Gen. Acorda described the arrest of the four as a ‘major accomplishment’ of the PRO7 in accounting for a number of suspected hired guns believed to be involved in a number of atrocities in Negros Oriental in the past.

Police Regional Office 7 (PRO7) director, Brigadier Gen. Anthony A. Aberin identified the four as Randy Nobleza,32; and cousins Alex Rafols,27; Marlon Piedad, 29; and Windy Rafols,52.

The official said the four were arrested in separate operations in Barangay Minaba, Bayawan City and in Bgy. Poblacion in Dauin municipality on Thursday evening.

Brig. Gen. Aberin said Nobleza, a resident of Bgy. Tayawan in Bayawan City is the subject of a non-bailable warrant of arrest for murder and three other warrants for frustrated murder issued by the Bayawan City Regional Trial Court Branch 63.

The three other suspects are all facing arrest for two counts of frustrated murder issued by the same Bayawan City court.

Alex Rafols and Piedad, both residents of Bgy. Minaba, were arrested in their neighborhood while Rafols was arrested in Bgy. Poblacion in Dauin municipality.

Brig. Gen. Aberin said the four were arrested in the wake of their stepped-up efforts to dismantle all identified PAGs in Negros Oriental.

The official has created the PRO7 Tracker Team composed of officers from the PRO7 Regional Intelligence Division and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, the Regional Intelligence Unit 7 of the PNP Intelligence Group, the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Intelligence Unit, the Bayawan City Police Station, the Dauin Municipal Police Station and the PNP Special Action Force’s 63rd Special Action Committee.

The tracker team under the supervision of Negros Oriental police director, Colonel Alex Recinto and PRO7 RID chief, Col. Monico Cadayona tracked down the suspects in their hiding places follow0ng an intelligence-driven operation.

Intelligence reports showed that the four are members of a PAG involved in a series of deadly gun attacks in the province which have resulted in the death or injuries of a number of elected public officials and other persons in the province in the past.

“Their arrest will cripple the private armed group operating in Negros Oriental even as we continue to track down their other members based on information we may acquire from them during questioning,” Brig. Gen. Aberin said.