What state-sponsored killings? – PRO-6 head
- TBN News
- Oct 2, 2018
- 3 min read
THE highest-ranking police officer in Western Visayas junked insinuations that the recent killings in the region were state-sponsored.
“What state-sponsored? As far as I’m concerned, wala akong natatanggap na directive from Camp Crame or any other individual ordering us that we will kill,” said Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director.
Some quarters recently inferred that the series of killings of suspected drug personalities could be state-sponsored or ordered by the government.
At an instance, seven alleged drug personalities were gunned down in a span of nine days, starting from the end of August until early September.
The seven fatalities allegedly put up a fight during anti-illegal drugs operations.
After that, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) recorded three cases of killings by motorcycle-riding men.
On Sept. 7, two Tokhang surrenderers were killed in a span of 10 hours.
Four days later, motorcycle-riding assassins killed another drug personality.
A short lull happened before another drug personality was killed in another drug buy-bust operation on Sept. 17 in Antique province.
Thing went on a hiatus until Sept 28 when two persons believed to be connected to slain suspected drug personality Melvin Odicta Sr. were also gunned down.
Lawyer Edeljulio Romero, who handled cases against Odicta and other drug personalities, was shot dead at Culasi, Roxas City, Capiz. Six hours later, Bennie Abacajin, 41, who used to work for the slain lawyer, was also gunned down in Arevalo, Iloilo City.
Two days later, an alleged Odicta underling was killed in an anti-narcotics police operation in Buenavista, Guimaras.
Jose Solon was killed after allegedly putting a fight with police operatives durin an anti-drug operations 8:25 p.m. of Sept. 30, 2018.
Solon, also known as Tatay Joe, allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P500 inside his house at Barangay Sto. Rosario, Buenavista, Guimaras.
An asset allegedly arranged for two police undercover agents to transact with Solon. A plan was then hatched to arrest the suspect.
Part of the operation were members of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RDEU-6),
Guimaras Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, and Buenavista Police Station.
Senior Inspector Kennith Bermejo, RDEU-6 team leader, said after the transaction was consummated, the two police poseur-buyers tried to arrest Solon.
But the suspect allegedly drew a gun concealed on top of a table where the pay off happened.
However, “our policeman was quick to parry the gun as the suspect poked it on him. The gun went off hitting the floor,” Bermejo said.
The police allegedly retaliated and hit the victim on his chest and upper portion of his abdomen.
Bermejo said they immediately called for an emergency rescue team to bring Solon to the hospital.
But the suspect was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
When the incident happened, the suspect’s wife and their grandson were outside the house.
Recovered from the scene were five sachets of suspected shabu, P500 marked money, a caliber .45 pistol and an ammunition casing.
Bermejo said that the slain suspect was considered a high-value target (HVT) Level 2.
He allegedly used to work for Odicta before in Iloilo. When Odicta died, he transferred in Guimaras where his wife resides.
Bermejo said Solon had laid low until recently when he was again monitored to be involved again in the illegal drug trade.
67TH FATALITY
Solon is the 66th fatality in Western Visayas since the government kicked off its aggressive anti-illegal drugs campaign in July 2016.
The latest was Leo Tachuan alias Kuatog, 35, who was killed near his house at Barangay 8, San Jose, Antique on Sept. 17.
Of the 67 fatalities since July 2016, Antique topped the list with 24.
On second spot is Iloilo City with 13 followed by Iloilo province with 12; Negros Occidental with 10; Bacolod City with 4; Guimaras now holds a record of two; and and Aklan and Capiz province with one each.
‘NOT IN MY TURF’
Amid the killings involving unknown assailants, Bulalacao reiterated that he also does not want these incidents to happen in his turf.
He said he already ordered the provincial and city police director concerned to create a special investigation task group (SITG), is necessary.
“I want them to dig deeper into these killings,” he said, specifically emphasizing an instruction to Senior Superintendent Canilo Fuentes, Capiz police chief, to investigate Romero’s killing.
As he denied that the series of incidents were state-sponsored, Bulalacao had three theories on who could have behind these assassinations.
“One, the suspects could be also a member of their group who wants to silence them for what they knew,” he added.
The second assumption could be rivalry among drug groups operating in the same turf.
Third, there could be guns-for-hire who are riding on the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Amidst the insinuations the national police force, Bulalacao stressed that they have been following due process and respecting human rights.
“Nobody, again, nobody ordered me to carry out any killing,” he said.
SOURCE: The Daily Guardian
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