ONE of two persons killed in a “shootout” with policemen Monday turned out to be a long-time security aide of lawyer and senatorial candidate Glenn Chong.
Yesterday, Chong urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to release in public documents related to the operation that led to the death of Richard Santillan and an unnamed companion.
“Hinihiling ko po sa kapulisan na ibigay na sa amin ang full report, lahat as in lahat ng kanilang reports tungkol sa ambush/assassination ng mga kapulisan sa aking aide na si Richard Santillan upang masimulan na naming pag-aralan ang pagsampa ng kaukulang kaso sa mga bayarang salarin,” said Chong who had testified in Congress about the alleged poll fraud in the 2016 elections.
Santillan said he believes the attack on his bodyguard was meant to silence him. He criticized the PNP for allegedly concealing the documents of the HPG-Rizal’s operation last Monday.
An initial information from Cainta Municipal Police Station said elements of HPG-Rizal were conducting a spot operation in Barangay San Andres, Cainta around 1 a.m. when they chanced upon a Toyota Fortuner (NOF-845) which they claimed had no registration papers since 2015.
Police said the occupants sped off toward Westbank floodway to Taytay when ordered to get out of the vehicle.
After a brief chase, police said the suspects allegedly engaged them in a shootout.
Later, police said the suspects were alleged members of “Highway Boys,” an organized crime syndicate involved in robbery-holdup, arms dealing, and illegal drugs operating in Calabarzon (Region 4A).
Chong said Santillan had been his security aide for 11 years and the ill-fated vehicle is registered under his name. He said Santillan accompanied him in Naga City for a political event.
According to Chong, Santillan borrowed his car to be able to go back to Cainta for a gift-giving activity for indigent children in time for the Yuletide season.
“Ang partner niya sa gift-giving ay mga sundalo, kapulisan, bumbero, jail officers. Pero noong gabing iyon, matapos ang gift-giving, walang-awa pinagbabaril siya at ang kanyang kasama ng mga kapulisan,” Chong said,
Chong confirmed that he gave Santillan a Gloc firearm which was registered in his bodyguard’s name. That gun was not found in the car.
In their report, police said they recovered two short firearms, several ammunition and a grenade inside the vehicle.
Also seized were three sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.
All these, according to Chong, were planted.
However, Senior Supt. Jonathan Calixto, HPG director in the region, maintained that the encounter was a result of a legitimate police operation.
He said the operation was coordinated with village officials. (Martin Sadongdong)