Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) started Friday its preliminary conference on the administrative case against members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 8 (CIDG-8).
Former CIDG-8 head Supt. Marvin Marcos and 19 other policemen face grave misconduct charges for their involvement in the killing of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa at the Leyte Sub-Provincial on Nov. 5.
Espinosa was killed after a supposed shootout with Marcos’ team, who said the mayor shot at them with a gun allegedly smuggled into the jail.
Read: Albuera Mayor Espinosa, 1 other inmate killed in jail cell shootout – CIDG
But the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said earlier this month that the shooting was actually a “rubout” and recommended the filing of criminal charges against the officers.
Read: NBI: Espinosa killing a rubout
The IAS said the prosecution may submit the NBI report as evidence.
“It is the right of the prosecution, they have the right to have a copy or submit that as an evidence in favor of the government,” IAS Legal Affairs Chief Shella Castillo said.
“We will defend our clients and see to it that rights are protected within the ambit of the constitution and the laws of the land,” said Ronald Inting, lawyer for one of the accused.
The IAS also said it wants to speed up the process by asking the policemen to submit their position papers and pieces of evidence, instead of having regular hearings.
“For the interest of justice, we have to go with the due process pa rin [we still have to go with due process],” Castillo said.
Related: Presidential Spokesperson Abella: PNP will follow due process in NBI case vs. CIDG cops
The preliminary conference will continue on January 10 next year, with the IAS saying the accused will be given up to 15 days after to submit their position papers.
The IAS is expected to release the results of its probe before the end of February, which would then be submitted to PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa for approval. If found guilty, the officers may be dismissed from service.
