Motorist will not sue police, Barangay Intelligence Network who "shot, mauled" him

CEBU, Philippines – The construction painter who accused police and members of the Barangay Intelligence Network of allegedly shooting and mauling him said he will not press charges but demanded that his hospital expenses be reimbursed.

Ronnel Piañar earlier accused police and BIN members of shooting him for allegedly evading a checkpoint along Salinas Drive in barangay Lahug past midnight the other day. He claimed he did not notice the checkpoint but police allegedly fired a shot and hit him on the elbow, causing him to lose control of the bike, which subsequently rammed into a Honda Civic.

He also alleged that just after his motorcycle rammed into the car, BIN members allegedly approached him and mauled him. A policeman also allegedly poked his head with a gun.

Piañar was with his friend Orlan Cortado at that time.

The police and BIN members vehemently denied the allegations, saying Piañar had deliberately evaded the checkpoint by driving very fast. 

Insp. Juanito Pajantoy of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the city police, had said no one from his team fired a shot and it is possible that Piañar sustained the gunshot wound somewhere else before passing through the checkpoint.

Pajantoy said Piañar failed to present his driver’s license and the motorcycle’s registration papers while Cortoda was not wearing a crash helmet. He said those that mauled Piañar could have been bystanders in the area.

Piañar was brought to the hospital for treatment and was released yesterday.

The homicide police is yet to gather formal statements from all parties involved. — Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)