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Friday, May 18, 2007
5 cops held over attack on poll precinct in Batangas
MANILA -- Five policemen, including an officer, have been ordered disarmed and restricted to their quarters on Thursday in connection with last Tuesday dawn's burning of a school and ballot boxes in Taysan town in Batangas that left a teacher and a poll watcher dead.
Director Geary Barias, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) directorate for investigation and detective management, did not identify the five but said they are assigned with the Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon) police's Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) based in Calamba, Laguna.
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Barias, who had been tasked by the police leadership to look into election-related violent incidents, said the five might have links with reelectionist Taysan Mayor Hernando Villena, who is leading in the canvassing of votes.
Barias said the five policemen were reportedly seen by witnesses in the vicinity of the elementary school building in Pinagbayanan village in Taysan town during and after the attack at around 3 a.m. Tuesday.
Nellie Banaag, a teacher supervising the conduct of the elections, and poll watcher Letecia Ramos died in the fire while several others were wounded when the suspects swooped down on the polling center, poured gasoline on the ballot boxes, and ignited a blaze by firing on them with their M16 rifle.
Barias said arson, murder, and administrative charges could be filed against the suspects and this may result in their dismissal from the service. "Their presence in the area could not be established as authorized," he said.
Barias admitted that the police establishment feels bad about the involvement of some of their men in the incident.
According to Barias, the artist's sketches prepared by police experts on the account of witnesses resemble the features of the five policemen. "We also have testimonial evidence linking them to this incident so they are suspects," he said.
The immediate superior of the five, Chief Inspector Roger James Brillanes, would also be questioned for his possible liability.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, meanwhile, ordered the release of P4 million for the reconstruction of new classrooms and toilets in the Taysan elementary school.
Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said the P4 million would be taken from the calamity fund and would be used to construct seven new classrooms and toilets to replace those that burned down.
Andaya also said they would fast track the construction of the school building in time for the opening of classes in June.
He said all books, furniture, computers and other school items that were destroyed in the fire would also be replaced.
The President was initially scheduled to visit the wake of Banaag on Thursday but postponed it to Friday. (VR/JMR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (May 18, 2007 issue)
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