The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) cannot provide free legal aid to the policemen and barangay watchmen implicated in the killing of two people and wounding of two others in Mandaluyong City on Dec. 28.

“It was the survivors of the shooting who first sought our assistance,” said PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, referring to Eliseo Aluad and Danilo Santiago who survived being shot at by nine policemen and three barangay watchmen who mistook them for gunmen.

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“We cannot represent both parties in the same case because that will be a conflict of interest on our part,” she explained.

According to Acosta, the PAO usually offers legal aid on a first-come, first-served basis in cases where both opposing parties are seeking assistance.

Facing criminal charges over the incident are Senior Insp. Cristina Vasquez, PO2 Nel Songalia and Police Officers 1 Kim Tinbusay, Bryan Nicolas, Julius Livuen, Ariel Uribe, Jave Arellano, Tito Danao, Mark Castillo and Albert Buwag.

Also charged were barangay watchmen Wilmer Duron and Gilbert Gulpo of Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City.

Acosta’s office has provided free legal assistance to families of victims killed in police operations such as teenagers Carl Angelo Arnaiz, Kian Loyd delos Santos and Reynaldo de Guzman.

Both Arnaiz and Delos Santos were killed by Caloocan City policemen in purported drugs operations while De Guzman was found dead a few days after he was last seen alive with Arnaiz.

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