Police, BIN accused of shooting, mauling motorist at checkpoint

CEBU, Philippines - Homicide police are looking into allegations that the police and members of the Barangay Intelligence Network went beyond bounds when they allegedly shot and mauled a motorist who allegedly evaded a checkpoint in barangay Lahug past midnight yesterday.

Ronnel Piañar, 24, said he and his friend Orlan Cortado were on board his Honda XRM with plate number 6606-GL from the area of JY Square Mall and were driving along Salinas Drive when a man allegedly fired a shot and hit him on his left arm near the Cebu Northwinds Hotel.

Piañar said he then lost control of the motorcycle and the bike rammed into a Honda Civic with plate number YDK-371 driven by a one Loisa Bianca Osabel. He said he did not notice the checkpoint in the area and it was only later that he reportedly learned it was one of the policemen that allegedly shot him.

Piañar also alleged that after they rammed into the Honda Civic, BIN members approached them and allegedly mauled him.

But the police and BIN denied the allegations, saying those that mauled Piañar could just have been bystanders in the area.

Insp. Juanito Pajantoy of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the city police who led the checkpoint from 10 pm to 12midnight said no one from their group fired a shot and Piañar might have already sustained the gunshot wound before he and Cortado drove by.

Pajantoy said what really happened was that they tried to intercept Piañar twice but the latter allegedly simply disregarded them and drove passed the checkpoint. It was only after the motorcycle rammed into the car that they got hold of the two men.

Piañar and Cortado both wore helmets but Piañar allegedly failed to present official registration documents for the motorcycle.

The police also said that when Piañar was first brought to the IDMB office, he reportedly simply said that someone shot him and never accused the police of firing the shot.

BIN members and responding personnel of the City Traffic Operations Management subsequently brought Piañar to the Cebu City Medical Center but later transferred him to the Perpetual Soccour Hospital.

Osabel, a resident of Rajah Townhouse in Basak, Mandaue City, was also advised to file a formal report with the city traffic group, considering that the rear part of her vehicle was dented.

The homicide police are expected to complete investigation today.

It was Nerio Petagara, security guard of the Perpetual Succour Hospital, who reported incident to homicide police past 6am yesterday. — Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)