MANILA - Murder, planting of evidence and obstruction of justice charges were filed against Pangasinan police personnel, including a doctor, for the death of 17-year-old Joshua Laxamana last year.
According to NUPL lawyer Maria Kristina Conti, they are submitting an independent autopsy report by forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun which states that the gunshot wound on the wrist of Laxamana was a defense type of injury.
Impleaded in the cases are Rosales Municipal Police OIC Chief Insp. John Corpuz, PO2 Arvin Abella, PO2 Roy Sarmiento, PO2 Ronald Casareno, SPO3 Oliver Vingua, SPO1 Hilario Taquiqui Jr.
Conti said the report of Fortun is contrary to the report of Dr. Adan Arlie Guieb of the Rosales Infirmary Unit who declared Joshua dead on site and Chief Insp. Lady Ellen Maranion and Chief Insp. Emeterio Macaraeg of the PNP Crime Laboratory in Urdaneta, Pangasinan.
“Ang sinasabi niya (Fortun), it was a defense type of injury, ang iba pang tama ni Joshua ay sa dibdib,” Conti said.
The mother of Joshua, Christine Pascual, maintained that her son was never involved in drugs and robbery, as stated in the barangay and police clearances she had secured.
Her son was supposedly on his way home with a friend and fellow DOTA player Julius Sebastian, who is still missing, after abandoning plans of going to Baguio City for a game.
“Patunay sa Tarlac na magaling siya sa DOTA at wala na talagang gustong lumaban sa kanya,” Pascual said
The police however had said that Laxamana was killed in a legitimate police operation.