Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 15) — The case of Spanish businessman Diego Bello Lafuente was revived after three police officers allegedly involved in his killing during an anti-drug operation surrendered, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.
According to a press statement dated Feb. 14, the cops surrendered on Feb. 9, escorted by PBGen. Romeo Caramat to the DOJ and had a brief meeting with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla.
“This is a very welcome development in this case,” Remulla was quoted as saying. “We are now able to move forward and try the case and deliver justice in a case that has transcended borders.”
Remulla asked the cops for an account of events and told them the gravity of the case, which has garnered international attention.
Lafuente, a surfer based in Siargao, Surigao del Norte, was shot dead in January 2020 after being marked by authorities as a “drug lord.”
The police claimed they acted in self-defense as the Spaniard allegedly pulled a gun on them.
In the statement, the DOJ said the accused officers were informed of the murder charges against them and a warrant of arrest was issued in March 2022 but they were “nowhere to be found.”
In July last year, the Commission on Human Rights expressed grave concern over the delay in the implementation of the warrant of arrest, which “goes beyond the reasonable promptness required in the effective administration of justice.”
“Speedy and impartial resolution of cases is significant in ensuring the improvement of the country’s justice system in responding to cases involving alleged human rights violation in the campaign against illegal drugs,” it previously said.
During the DOJ’s budget hearing in November last year, Sen. Sonny Angara said the European Parliament, specifically Spanish legislators, requested Philippine senators during their meeting in Brussels, Belgium to “crackdown and find the erring policemen” involved in Lafuente’s slay.
