A police officer was found guilty by the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court for the 2017 planting of evidence and torture of two slain youths — a former University of the Philippines student and his male companion.
The court convicted Police Officer 1 Jeffrey S. Perez for two counts of violations of Section 4 and 14 of Republic Act 9745, the Anti-Torture Act of 2009, and two counts of planting of evidence under RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The policeman was sentenced to reclusion perpetua for the torture of then 14-year-old Reynaldo "Kulot" de Guzman, and imprisonment "of six months to four years and two months for the torture of UP student Carl Angelo M. Arnaiz, who, at the time of his death, was 19 years old.
Perez was sentenced to two life imprisonments in addition to absolute perpetual disqualification from any public office for planting of evidence.
The erring policeman was also ordered to pay to the heirs of each of the victims P1 million moral damages and P1 million exemplary damages with an interest rate of six percent per annum from the date of the finality of decision until fully paid.
"Pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act 9745, the victim's heirs, are likewise entitled to claim for compensation as provided under Republic Act 7309 for an amount to be determined by the government agency concerned," said the decision.
The guilty verdict against Perez was handed down by Judge Rodrigo F. Pascua Jr. of RTC Branch.
