Admin charges recommended for 9 cops in P'que shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Administrative charges will be slapped against nine policemen, including three officials, who were involved in the December 5 shootout with suspected criminal elements in Parañaque City that killed a seven-year-old girl and his father. This was after an investigation conducted by the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) found probable cause in connection with the death of Alfonso de Vera and daughter Lia Alyana during the encounter with suspected robbery gang members. “The participating elements had some lapses in police procedures because they were not able to prevent innocent civilians from death and injuries,” said IAS inspector general Police Director Jaime Tagaca. To face charges for neglect of duty and grave misconduct are Chief Insp. Joel Mendoza, Chief Insp. Lawrence Cajipe, Insp. Gerardo Balatucan, PO3 Jolito Mamanao Jr, PO3 Fernando Rey Gapuz, PO2 Eduardo Blanco, PO2 Edwin Santos and PO1 Josil Rey Lucena. A separate administrative case for violation of human rights was also recommended for P01 Elybeer Cayaban, also assigned to the PNP-HPG, Tagaca said in a press briefing in Camp Crame Tuesday afternoon. All the policemen were members of the PNP-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG). Tagaca said Cayaban was included in the recommendation since the empty shell of a .45 pistol found at the site matched the service firearm issued to him. He however clarified that this does not mean that Cayaban shot the elder De Vera, saying it is up to the court to rule on this based on evidence. Tagaca said their recommendation was based on “scientific pieces of evidence that we received” and testimonies of witnesses. As an example of the supposed lapses in police procedures, Tagaca noted that the eight policemen were ordered to prevent any vehicle from entering the United Parañaque Subdivision, the site of the encounter, and yet the Isuzu Crosswinds of the victims was able to go through the site, resulting to them being killed in the crossfire. The official also noted that only the vehicle of the De Veras was able to slip past the blockade set up by the policemen. The nine policemen are currently restricted to the HPG headquarters in Camp Crame pending the final result of the probe and the formal filing of administrative charges against them. Should they be convicted on the administrative charges, Tagaca said the maximum penalty that may be imposed on them is dismissal from the service while the minimum penalty is suspension for six months without pay. Ten suspected members of the combined Waray-Waray-Ozamis robbery gang were killed during the December 5 shootout in Parañaque City. A rookie policeman and five other civilians were also killed in the same gun battle. Three other police officials, including Supt. Elueterio Gutierrez, Jr., commander of the HPG’s Task Force Limbas, were wounded in the clash. Gutierrez is still in serious condition at the Asian Hospital due to the gunshot wound in his head. - GMANews.TV