By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Eight police officers in the Bicol Region have been relieved from their posts for allegedly delaying the reporting of a detainee’s death.
In a Thursday briefing, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the report took nearly 12 hours to reach the regional headquarters.
“Sila ay na-relieve. Ang administrative liability na nakita ng regional office sa kanila, ito ‘yung late reporting ng nasabing insidente na umabot ng halos 12 oras bago nakarating sa regional headquarters ‘yung nasabing report (They were relieved. The administrative liability determined by the regional office is their late reporting of the incident, as the report nearly took 12 hours to reach the regional headquarters),” Tuaño said.
Those relieved were the Region Investigation and Detective Management Division chief of the Police Regional Office 5; Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office director; Catanduanes Police Provincial Office director; Del Gallego Municipal Police Station chief in Camarines Sur; San Miguel Municipal Police Station chief in Catanduanes; chief investigator in the Del Gallego Municipal Police Station; investigator-on-case in the Del Gallego Municipal Police Station; and the warrant section chief of the San Miguel Municipal Police Station.
“Kung sakali sila ay ma-clear, sila naman ay maaaring ibalik sa kanilang pwesto (If they are cleared, they are likely to be reinstated to their posts),” Tuaño said.
Four Camarines Sur officers are under investigation for the fatal shooting of a detainee who allegedly tried to escape custody. They now face homicide charges before the local prosecutor and administrative cases before the National Police Commission.
The incident occurred on Feb. 6, when officers were transporting a murder suspect and a rape suspect from Pasig City to Catanduanes.
During a restroom stop along Rolando Andaya Highway, the suspects’ handcuffs were removed. The murder suspect allegedly attacked an officer and grabbed a rifle, but could not fire it. He fled toward a nearby forest, prompting a chase and shootout.
An autopsy showed the detainee sustained gunshot wounds to the shoulder, chest and head. His wife and two children later filed a homicide complaint against the four responding officers. (PNA)
