Dead ensign’s kin seek DoJ’s reopening of case By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/21/2010

Dead ensign’s kin seek DoJ’s reopening of case

By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/21/2010 Parents of murdered Navy Ensign Philip Pestaño who died 15 years ago are asking the Department of Justice (DoJ) to reinvestigate the case. Lawyer Harry Roque Jr., who represents Pestaño’s parents, met with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to formally request a preliminary investigation on the murder complaint they filed with the Ombudsman for the military and other law enforcement offices. The case was dismissed a few days after they filed impeachment case against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. “Fifteen years have passed but the family of the victim has not yet obtained justice,” Roque said in an interview with reporters. “We can’t allow the killing of Ensign Pestaño to be ignored just like that. We are hopeful that justice will be served in this administration of President Aquino and leadership in DoJ of Secretary de Lima,” he explained. The lawyer stressed that the government has an obligation in its declaration during the UN Human Environment Conference to act within 180 days after investigation to ensure that justice will be served on victims. He added that since the Ombudsman has already completed its probe, the DoJ may now step in a conduct another investigation into the case.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100821hed5.html

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