HOMICIDE charges were filed against 10 policemen who took part in the law enforcement operation that led to the death of 16-year old Jhondie Maglinte Helis, Calabarzon Police Regional Office Director Eliseo Cruz said on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.
Cruz said the charges were filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Biñan City on Monday, July 5, 2021, by the PRO-4A fact-finding team based on the complaint affidavit of Helis’ mother.
Internal Affairs Service Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said administrative charges for grave misconduct and irregularity in the performance of duty were also filed against the 10 policemen identified as Captain Fernando Credo, Senior Master Sergeant Mark Lester B. Yonzon, Staff Sergeant Ricky S. Sacurom, Staff Sergeant Elmer R. Belaro, Staff Sergeant Rodrigo V Velarde Jr., Corporal Felix Nico R. Agudong, Corporal Leonardo S. Roldan, Corporal Gilbert T. Florentino, Corporal Christopher S. San Jose and Patrolman Rowie C. Cadangan.
They were all members of the Laguna intelligence unit.
Lieutenant Colonel Arvin Avelino, unit head, was charged with less grave neglect of duty over command responsibility.
Helis was killed along with Antonio Dalit in a police operation in Sitio Camcam, Barangay Canlalay in Laguna on June 16, 2021. Dalit was the subject of an arrest warrant over illegal drugs charges.
The two allegedly resisted arrest and tried to engage cops in a firefight, prompting the police to fire. They were instantaneously killed.
The family rejected the police claim and said Helis, who had been handcuffed, begged for his life.
The PNP has identified the police officer who shot and killed Helis based on ballistic examination results.
In a press conference on Monday, July 5, 2021, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar urged witnesses to shed light on the incident.
He said there was no evidence to prove the family’s claim that the boy had been handcuffed before he was shot.
“We opened our investigation, I even opened my office for any witness na magbibigay ng witness and yet wala naman…Hindi ko sinasabi pinoprotektahan ko o pinagtatakpan ang mga pulis natin pero wala naman kasing ebidensya sa autopsy, wala din namang markings ng posas,” he added. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)