The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs has resumed its investigation into the death of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa while in detention.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald Dela Rosa is testifying in the hearing.
He is defending the reinstatement of Supt. Marvin Marcos.
On November 5, 2016, Marcos led a team of 18 policemen on a raid inside the jail of suspected drug lord Espinosa in Baybay Leyte’s sub-provincial jail.
Espinosa and another inmate was killed in the incident.
In today’s hearing, Senator Bam Aquino told Dela Rosa that some senators were shocked with the downgrading of cases against Marcos and his group from murder to homicide.
The downgrading was done by prosecutors of the Department of Justice.
Aquino also said they did not expect that Dela Rosa would be reinstated to full duty.
Dela Rosa defended Marcos’ reinstatement.
He called it a “reassignment.”
Dela Rosa said, President Rodrigo Duterte wanted Marcos and his men to go back to work after posting bail.
He noted “what Supt. Marcos did was in line of duty.”
He added the President’s order shows that he stands by the PNP and the reinstatement of Marcos and 18 cops has lifted the morale of the police.
Marvin has been recently assigned Chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 12.