8 Bicol cops relieved over detainee death, late report

The Philippine National Police on Thursday announced the relief of eight police officers over the delayed reporting of the death of a person under police custody who allegedly tried to escape in Del Gallego, Camarines Sur.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, in a press briefing at Camp Crame, did not disclose the names of the relieved officers. He identified them as the chief of the Police Regional Office 5 Investigation and Detective Management Division; the directors of the Camarines Sur and Catanduanes Police Provincial Offices; the chief, chief investigator and investigator-on-case of the Del Gallego Municipal Police Station; and the chief and warrant section chief of the San Miguel Municipal Police Station in Catanduanes.

"Base doon sa imbestigasyon na natanggap ng national headquarters sa RD ng Region 5 na si Gen. Miranda sinasabi niya na nakaposas nga raw yung 2 PUPC at nung magsabi na sila ay iihi kasali na rin yung kanilang mga escorts at tinanggalan nila ng posas at pagtanggal ng posas according doon sa statement nung mismong PUPC na kasama na nahuli tinulak daw yung isang escort at nung ito ay natumba doon nagsimula yung habulan," Tuaño narrated.

The PUPC who allegedly attempted to escape was killed during the pursuit.

"Sa kasalakuyan ang administrative case nila ay nag took cognizance na yung Napolcom na kung saan specifically malalaman natin yung mga operational lapses nung mga pulis natin kaugnay ng police operational procedure. Kaugnay nito yung 4 na pulis na involved mismo sa nangyari na shooting incident kung saan pinangunahan ito ng isang police corporal at 3 patrolman, sila ay restrictive custody at kaugnay sa action taken ng PRO 5 umabot na sa ngayong araw yung 8 na kung saan sila ay relieved sa kanilang mga puwesto," Tuaño explained.

"Linawin natin na ang administrative liability na nakita ng regional office sa kanila, ito yung late reporting ng nasabing insidente na umabot daw halos 12 araw bago nakarating sa regional headquarters yung nasabing report," he added, referring to higher-ranking officials implicated in the case.

The detainee, a murder suspect, was arrested in Pasig City and was being transported back to San Miguel, Catanduanes, along with a rape suspect on 6 February.

Police said the escorting officers stopped in Del Gallego to allow the detainee to use the restroom when he allegedly elbowed one of the officers, took his firearm and fled toward a forested area. The other officers gave chase, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

Autopsy results showed the detainee sustained gunshot wounds to the shoulder, chest and head.

Tuaño said the four officers involved in the shooting — a police corporal and three patrolmen — have been placed under restrictive custody. They are facing a homicide complaint before the local prosecutor and an administrative case before the National Police Commission in Bicol.

The three patrolmen tested positive in the paraffin test, which determines whether an individual has fired a gun, Tuaño said.