The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has conducted a motu propio investigation on the implementation of a search warrant against suspected Communist rebels in Panay Island that left nine people dead and 16 others arrested.
Col. Roger James Brillantes, director of the IAS-Western Visayas, said the conduct of the investigation was part of their obligation to determine if the Police Operational Procedure was followed in any police operation, especially if suspects were either killed or wounded.
Brillantes said they already conducted a case conference for the conduct of the motu propio investigation that included a review of all documents and discussion with police teams involved in the operation.
“Based on the instruction of our Inspector General (Alfegar Triambulo), we have to look into the case as part of our mandate to determine if police procedures were properly observed in the conduct of the operation,” said Brillantes.
On Wednesday, police forces swooped down on residential areas in at least nine barangays in Tapaz town of Capiz where Communist rebels were reportedly holed up. At least 21 search warrants were issued by local courts.
The series of operations led to the death of Roy Giganto, Reynaldo Katipunan, Mario Aguirre, Maurito Diaz, Sr., Eliseo Gayas, Sr., Artilito Katipunan, Jomar Vidal, Garson Catamin and Rolando Diaz, Sr. They allegedly engaged authorities in a firefight to stave off arrest during the operation.
At least 16 people were collared in the series of operations under the intensified counter-communist insurgency by the government. Two other subjects of the arrest warrants were not around.
Criminal charges are now being readied against those arrested.