By AARON RECUENCO
The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has conducted a motu propio investigation on the killing of nine alleged rebels and arrest of 16 others during the implementation of a search warrant in Capiz last Wednesday.
Col. Roger James Brillantes, director of the IAS-Western Visayas, said the conduct of the investigation is part of their obligation to determine if the Police Operational Procedure was followed in any police operation especially if suspects are either killed or wounded.
Brillantes said they already conducted case conference for the conduct of the motu propio investigation that include review of all documents and discussion with police teams involved in the operation.
“Based on the instruction of our Inspector General (Alfegar Triambulo), we have to look into the case as part of our mandate to determine if police procedures were properly observed in the conduct of the operation,” said Brillantes.
On Wednesday, police forces swooped down on residential areas in at least nine barangays in Tapaz town of Capiz where communist rebels were reportedly holed up. At least 21 search warrants were issued by local courts.
The series of operations led to the death of Roy Giganto, Reynaldo Katipunan, Mario Aguirre, Maurito Diaz, Sr., Eliseo Gayas, Sr., Artilito Katipunan, Jomar Vidal, Garson Catamin and Rolando Diaz, Sr. They allegedly fought off during the operation.
At least 16 people were collared in the series of operations under the intensified counter-communist insurgency by the government. Two other subject of the arrest warrants were not around.
Criminal charges are now being readied against those arrested.
