Wednesday, May 28, 2008 9 cops in Batangas 'rubout' relieved
NATIONAL Police Chief Avelino Razon Jr. on Tuesday ordered the administrative relief of nine police personnel involved in the encounter in Tanauan City, Batangas that led to the killing of four suspected members of a robbery syndicate.
Superintendent Gilbert Sauro and eight other Batangas policemen, all assigned with the Provincial Intelligence Branch and Special Operations Group, were relieved from their posts effective Tuesday.
"This will give way for an impartial investigation and make sure that the concerned PNP (Philippine National Police) personnel will not be able to use their position to influence the outcome of the investigation," Razon said.
Razon made the order a day after top officials of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), based on initial investigations, said that the four were killed not in operations but through rubout or summary executions.
The PNP chief directed Police Regional Office (PRO) 4-A Director Ricardo Padilla to reassign the nine personnel to the PRO Regional Headquarters to ensure their availability to face investigation.
At the same time, Razon assured the CHR that it will provide the fact-finding body of its documentary requirements to complete the investigation into the incident.
The CHR has sought for the complete list of PNP personnel who figured in the armed encounters in Barangay 4 and Barangay Pagaspas in Tanauan City on May 21 and May 22.
Razon also instructed the concerned PNP units to furnish the CHR copies of the after operations report, autopsy report, and Scene of Crime Operations (Soco) report.
The PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) under Director Jefferson Soriano was tasked to conduct its own investigation to determine if there were lapses committed according to the police operational procedures.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under the supervision of DIDM Deputy Director Rodolfo Mendoza, assisted by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Raul Castañeda.
SIT is composed of officers from the Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO), Crime Laboratory, and the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of PRO-4A.
The PNP Internal Affairs Service is conducting an investigation motu propio to determine the administrative culpability or irregularities committed by the Batangas policemen who figured in the encounter.
"This investigation will give the concerned members of Task Force RCBC the opportunity to present their side before a proper forum, and clarify allegations made by families of the slain suspects," Razon said. (VR/Sunnex)
