The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has launched its own investigation on the death of a pedicab driver who was shot dead by the Pasay Police despite his intention to surrender.
The NBI-Death Investigation Division (DID) proceeded to Muñoz Street, Barangay 43-Zone 6, Pasay City Thursday afternoon to get the witnesses’ testimonies following the complaints of Rachel Bermoy, the common-law-wife of slain 22-year-old pedicab driver Eric Sison.
According to NBI-DID, the witnesses attested to the excessive force the police allegedly used in arresting neutralizing Sison.
NBI-DID Chief Danielito Lalusis said they will study the autopsy report and examine the pictures of the crime scene.
They may also do a reconstruction of the crime scene.
“Kung kinakailangang magkaroon kami ng reconstruction base sa pahayag ng mga testigo, then we will do it,” he said.
He added that they are now also looking for the person who took the video to shed light on the events that night.
They are also looking if they can use the said footage as evidence.
“Makukuhaan natin siya ng personal account kung ano talaga ‘yung nangyari; ano talaga ’yung naririnig sa video na iyon,” Lalusis said.
Based on reports, PO1 Benigno Baladjay, PO1 Jan Erwin Isaac, and PO1 Melford Olorosisimo, of the Buendia Police Community Precinct (PCP-2) were conducting a routine patrol when they called the attention of Sison.
Sison reportedly fired at the lawmen which resulted in the chase and his death.
Meanwhile, officials of the Pasay Police submitted to NBI-DID the spot report and the affidavits of the three policemen involved in the killing of Sison.
Chief Inspector Joey Goforth, officer in charge of Pasay Police administrative division, vowed to cooperate with the investigation of the NBI.
According to Goforth, the three policemen – PO1 Benigno Baladjay, PO1 Jan Erwin Isaac and PO1 Melford Olorosisimo, of the Buendia Police Community Precinct (PCP-2) – and their head, Chief Inspector Oscar Pagulayan, were already relieved from their duties and are now under restrictive custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
He said Pagulayan was also relieved because they are investigating whether he was supervising his men properly.
He also clarified the report of a TV network that he twisted the story in favor of the officers involved. He said he is only giving statements based on the affidavit of the said officers.
“Malinaw na sinabi ko ‘yung pulis ang nagsabi na sumuko ka na and that was the verbal warning intended for the suspect,” he said.
“However, sinasabi ko nga, hindi natin nakikita ‘yung nakikita ng pulis,” he added. (ARGYLL CYRUS B. GEDUCOS)