A WHISTLEBLOWER in the alleged irregularities at the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) was gunned down by motorcycle-riding gunmen around 9 a.m. Saturday in Carmen, Davao del Norte.
Senior Superintendent Ferdinand Sifuentes, Davao del Norte Provincial Police Office (DNPPO) director, identified the victim as Kabunsuan Makilala, an officer of the Bureau Davao Penal Farm, known as Dapecol.
Based on police investigation, Sifuentes said the suspects had tailed Makilala from the premises of the Davao Penal Farm in the town of Braulio E. Dujali, Davao del Norte.
“The suspects were wearing helmets and then after the incident, they fled to an unknown direction,” he said.
Based on reports, Makilala was the third penal farm personnel who was killed by unidentified men.
Last November 2016, Davao Penal Farm superintendent for security and operations Robert Quinto was shot outside his house in Panabo City.
On December 7, Willie Plasabas, administrative officer of the penal farm, was also shot by unidentified suspects in Carmen, Davao del Norte, while he was on his way home.
Sifuentes declined to say whether the three incidents were related.
“For now, I cannot tell any information on that since the incident happened just this morning,” he said.
Makilala, a prison guard and a former assistant head of the BuCor’s bids and awards committee, accused then BuCor director Gaudencio Pangilinan of violating the government procurement policy.
He said Pangilinan overstepped his authority by authorizing the transfer of inmates and appointing BuCor Assistant Director for Operations Romeo Fajardo. Pangilinan has denied the accusations.
Makilala was supported by anti-corruption crusader Sandra Cam.
Makilala has applied to be included in the Witness Protection Program with then Justice secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima. Makilala had feared for his life after he disclosed alleged anomalies at the state penitentiary. (PNA)