By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered an impartial investigation into the fatal shooting of a murder suspect by four police officers in Camarines Sur.
Nartatez directed the immediate preventive suspension of the involved officers to ensure the integrity of the investigation.
“We are reviewing all available evidence, including scene documentation, forensic findings, and testimonies of witnesses,” Nartatez said in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the investigation will examine whether the officers strictly followed established protocols on the use of force.
“If there is body-worn camera footage that will be part of the evaluation,” he added.
Based on initial investigation, the officers were transporting a murder suspect and a rape suspect to Catanduanes from Pasig City on Feb. 6 when they stopped along Rolando Andaya Highway for a restroom break and removed the suspects’ handcuffs.
While his cuffs were being taken off, the murder suspect allegedly attacked an officer and grabbed a rifle, but failed to fire it because there was no round in the chamber. He ran toward a nearby forest, leading to a chase and shootout.
An autopsy showed he sustained gunshot wounds to the shoulder, chest, and head.
The suspect’s wife and two children later filed a homicide complaint against the four responding officers. (PNA)
