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Probers sift through the scene of the shootout in Puerto Princesa City that left two policemen and an employee of the Bureau of Corrections dead.
John Unson
MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have started looking into a shooting incident in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan that resulted in the death of two police officers and a personnel of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
The NBI wants to determine the real victims in the incident, while the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) will look into possible violations of operational procedures.
Video footage and photos of the incident showed one of the fatalities, Jerson Talon of the BuCor, bound and lying on the ground face down.
The other fatalities were police S/Sgts. Ryan Criz Cabana and Jayson Fernandez.
A concerned citizen sent the video and photos to the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, which presented them to BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr.
Talon worked for the Iwahig prison.
“(This raises) serious concerns about the conduct of those involved,” the BuCor said in a statement released yesterday.
PNP-IAS Inspector General Brigido Dulay said that investigators will look into reports that the police officers involved in the shooting were drunk, not wearing uniforms and using private vehicles.
If the officers will be found to have violated standard operational procedures, Dulay said he would recommend sanctions against them.
The shooting stemmed from an alleged mauling incident in a wake in Barangay Irawan on Friday between the BuCor guards and the police officers.
Probers have yet to confirm reports that both parties were under the influence of liquor.
“A police officer left after he got hurt from the alleged mauling incident. When he returned, he was with other policemen,” NBI Director Melvin Matibag said.
The BuCor said Talon went to the wake to pick up his daughter. But as they were leaving, three police officers in civilian attire reportedly dragged him out.
Talon’s family is seeking protection from the NBI.
Catapang said the involvement of the NBI and the PNP in the probe is crucial to ensure impartiality.
The incident resulted in the relief of Puerto Princesa police chief Col. Cristin Tabdi and all members of the city police station 2. – Ed Amoroso
