Three police officers from Siargao are now grappling with murder and planting of evidence charges before the Manila Regional Trial Court after being accused of involvement in the death of a Spanish national during a supposed drug buy-bust operation in January 2020 in General Luna, Siargao.

PCapt. Wise Vicente Panuelos, PSSg. Ronel Pazo, and PSSg. Nido Boy Cortes maintain that Diego Alberto Bello Lafuente, purportedly identified as the number one drug personality in CARAGA, resisted arrest.

Contradicting their claim, investigations by the NBI revealed that Diego was not armed, with both PDEA R-13 and the barangay confirming he was not a drug personality.

The NBI characterized the alleged armed encounter as a “scenario,” pointing out that ballistics exams demonstrated inconsistencies with an armed confrontation.

The examination revealed that Diego suffered six gunshot wounds, with the final one occurring when he was already in a half-seated or half-lying position.

Diego, the only Spaniard and European reportedly killed under Duterte’s drug war, initially arrived in Siargao as a tourist in 2018 but later established his own business and employed around 30 people.

His parents, Pilar Lafuente and Alberto Bello, traveled from Spain to Manila to attend the recent hearing.

It marked their first appearance at the trial and the first time they saw the three accused cops in person.

Diego’s father, Alberto, expressed anger upon seeing the officers but emphasized the importance of their presence in court.

The Department of Justice had previously released a photo of the three cops with blurred faces when they surrendered in February 2023.

The prosecution presented a ballistician from the NBI on Wednesday to discuss her findings, facing a challenge from the defense regarding her expertise.

The court requested the ballistician to present credentials, and her testimony will continue on December 13.

While in Manila, Diego’s parents met with officials from the Spanish consulate-general and the European Union delegation, who promised close monitoring of the case.

The Spanish government acted as the complainant against the three cops before the NBI.

Diego Bello Lafuente’s case is part of the 52 cases listed under the DOJ’s drug war review, highlighted by the PH government at the UN Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court to demonstrate its commitment to investigating deaths under the drug war.

In response to reporters seeking comment, one of the cops stated, “Sir, the case is already in the court.”