By Jennifer P. Rendon
The PNP Regional Internal Affairs Service 6 (RIAS-6) will commence its investigation on the events surrounding the bloody search operations in Tapaz, Capiz on Dec 30, 2020.
Colonel Roger James Brillantes, PNP RIAS-6 chief, said a motu propio (of their own motion or initiative) investigation is in place because policemen were involved in the discharge of firearms.
While the December 30 raids were conducted in both Calinog (2 barangays) in Iloilo and Tapaz (7 barangays), the investigation will focus in the Tapaz raids where nine persons died during police operations.
Brillantes said that the Capiz Provincial Internal Affairs Service led by Erwin Margarejo will take charge in investigating possible lapses, if any.
“We would like to know if police operational procedures were strictly followed in the implementation of the search warrant… Kung nasunod ba ang rules of engagement,” Brillantes said.
On top of that, he said they also wanted to know if there were lapses on the part of the raiding team that led to the death of the nine subjects.
In a press statement, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) said that “the service of the search warrants became a bloody encounter when the subjects put up a fight against the operatives.”
“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 at point blank.
If investigation would show that there were violations of the police SOP, Brillantes said they would not hesitate to file charges.
He also assured the public that there would be no whitewashing the investigation.
“We will conduct a fair, just, and honest investigation,” he said.
Brillantes claimed their investigation would not also hinder the separate fact-finding probe being done by the Commission on Human Rights.
But as of now, he said they could not ascertain who would be part of the investigation.
“We’re still waiting for the after-operations report to be submitted by the CIDG,” he said.
The said document would show who are part of the entering or assault team, who were in charge of the perimeter security, and the other members of the raiding team.
Brillantes said the CIDG is expected to submit the report today, January 5, 2021.
It was gathered that aside from the local police, CIDG personnel assigned to the National Capital Region and Region 4-A also joined the simultaneous serving of 28 search warrants.
“The report would show if they would be part of those who will be investigated,” Brillantes said.
Aside from the RIAS-6 and CHR, the local government of Tapaz has also called for a probe on the operations.
