BuCor to NBI: Probe Palawan shooting

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Corrections has asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the shooting in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan that led to the killing of a BuCor officer and two policemen on Good Friday.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the NBI is the impartial body that should lead the investigation, given the involvement of police officers in the incident.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said yesterday that four PNP officers have been disarmed and detained for “responding without authorization” to the shooting.

“They are already locked up and disarmed pending the filing of appropriate charges,” Nartatez said, noting that possible cases may include homicide or murder.

According to Nartatez, the four officers – S/Sgts. Jonah Balangan, Michael Juan and Joseph Ian Carpio as well as Cpl. Renato Bendaña – responded to the incident without the knowledge or clearance of their superior “in violation of standard police procedures.”

“This (incident) could have been avoided if there was proper supervision from their commanders,” he said.

Nartatez ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management to conduct a thorough probe.

He stressed that there would be no cover-up in the investigation and that those responsible would be held accountable for their actions.

Aside from the PNP investigation, the BuCor is conducting a parallel probe into the incident.

An initial BuCor findings showed that Corrections Officer Jerson Talon fetched his daughter who was attending a wake in Barangay Irawan.

Talon’s wife, Imelda, told investigators that three police officers in civilian clothes appeared at their house and asked about the commotion at the wake.

She said Talon introduced himself as a BuCor officer but was “dragged” out of the house.

Moments later, they heard gunshots.

According to the BuCor, the Talon family is now under NBI custody “for protection.”

Brig. Gen. Jovencio Badua Jr., Mimaropa regional police chief, told reporters yesterday there were “serious operational lapses” on the part of the police.

“Why were they drunk and dressed in civilian clothes, considering that they should be in their posts because it was Holy Week?” Badua said.

“They should have remained calm and, since the BuCor personnel introduced himself as such, the police should have thought about it and prevented themselves from being swept by their emotions,” he added.

Nartatez raised concerns over reports of drunken police officers, noting that such behavior is a recurring issue in previous incidents involving police.