THE authorities is targeting to file multiple murder and frustrated murder case by next week against the perpetrators of the Bansalan ambush committed by the members of New People’s Army (NPA), killing four police officers.
Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao chief superintendent Manuel Gaerlan said on Wednesday, March 15, that the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) is currently gathering the necessary evidences to be used for the filing of cases against the suspect.
Based on their timeline, if the proof and statement of the eye witness are already prepared, they will file the case on March 24.
“We will file the case in coordination with the families,” he said.
Gaerlan added that the families of the victims would stand as private complainants and they would assist them in filing the necessary charges against identified personalities or suspects involved in the ambush last March 8 in Barangay Sibayan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur.
They will also look at the possibility if there is a participation of Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesman of the NPA Southern Mindanao Operations Command, who confirmed the incident in a statement.
Sanchez said the ambush was committed by a 14-man squad of guerrilla fighters belonging to the Mt. Apo Subregional Operations Command.
“We will evaluate based on the on consultation with our lawyers kung papasok siya (if they qualify). Hindi naman pwede na sweeping lang at atin silang isasama (We can’t just include all of them). We will based on evidence kung sino yong mga dapat file-an (on who to file against). If he is part of the conspiracy to commit the multiple murder then papasok siya (he will be filed),” he said.
He also belied the claims of Sanchez that the police officers retaliated as there was no gun powder nitrate found in paraffin tests conducted on the bodies.
“He tried to cover up,” he said.
At present, the police officers are still conducting thorough investigation and are finishing the evidences and statements before filing the appropriate charges for multiple murder of the four and frustrated murder for the survivor.
The ambush was a separate case from the incident that the police were about to respond to the night before the shooting incident.