By Jennifer P. Rendon
A full-blown trial to determine the administrative culpability, if any, will be conducted against police personnel involved in the controversial Rizal Day raids in Tapaz, Capiz on December 30, 2020.
The Regional Internal Affairs Service 6 (RIAS-6) confirmed Thursday that 14 members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will face the summary hearing proceedings, which will be done through virtual teleconferencing.
The 14 officers are all from Luzon.
Colonel Roger James Brillantes, RIAS-6 chief, said they found probable cause in filing charges against 14 CIDG personnel after perusing the after-operation report submitted to his office.
Brillantes identified these personnel as Lieutenant Colonel Reyson Mallannao Bagain, Major Dave Anthony Ruba Capurcos, Captain Michael Nathaniel Paas Visco, Executive Master Sergeant Juan Fernando; and Staff Sergeants Ferdinand Danao and Glicerio Encela. They are members of CIDG-National Capital Region.
Other respondents are Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Tan Nandu Jr., Major Charlie Inikpal Mang-osan; Major Warren Damogo Dilem, Lieutenant Melchor Frias Muñoz, Lieutenant Emmanuel Masangkay Rabe, and Lieutenant Elbert Marasigan Santos, all from CIDG-CALABARZON.
Completing the list are Executive Master Sergeant Melgin Bulandres and Senior Master Sergeant Dax Bayutas of CIDG -Drug Enforcement Group, which is based in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
A notification complaint was already sent to the 14 policemen, Brillantes said.
“Our pre-charge investigators have determined a probable cause for grave neglect of duty for police commissioned officers and grave misconduct for police non-commissioned officers. That’s why it was deemed that it should proceed to summary hearing proceedings,” he said.
He noted that the discharge of firearm was one of the reasons why a full-blown probe is in order.
During the hearing, Brillantes said they would determine if the operating troops followed the PNP Operational Procedures.
When asked why only non-territorial forces were charged, the RIAS-6 chief explained that the 14 cops stood as “actual entering party” during the raid.
Local police forces only served as perimeter security and road security when the CIDG launched its massive crackdown against suspected rebels and their alleged supporters who allegedly wielded unlicensed guns and explosives.
While the December 30 raids were conducted in Calinog, Iloilo (2 barangays) and Tapaz, Capiz (7 barangays), the investigation will focus on the Tapaz raids where nine persons died during police operations.
The encounter led to the death of Roy Giganto, Reynaldo Katipunan and Mario Aguirre of Barangay Lahug; Maurito Diaz, Sr. of Barangay Tacayan; Eliseo Gayas, Jr. of Barangay Aglinab; Artilito Katipunan of Barangay Acuña; Joemar Vidal of Barangay Daan Sur; and Garson Catamin and Rolando Diaz of Barangay Nayawan.
The fatalities’ families earlier asserted that they did not resist and were killed point blank.
Meanwhile, Brillantes said he already told Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Margarejo, Provincial IAS – Capiz chief, to reach out to aggrieved parties and families of the nine slain subjects to lodge a formal complaint with the PIAS office.
‘I’m still waiting for feedback on our notification to the families of the nine persons,” he said.
It was gathered that nine summary hearing officers – six police/city provincial chiefs and three officers from RIAS – will handle the cases.
The first virtual hearing is scheduled on March 25 while they are expected to submit a position paper on March 26.
Brillantes said they might be able to issue a resolution, which will be forwarded to the RIAS Central Office, on or before April 15.
