Bong Revilla seeks justice for slain relatives

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. yesterday urged the police to ensure that justice will be attained for the victims of the shooting incident during a traffic altercation that resulted in the killing of six people, including three of his relatives in Imus, Cavite last Sunday.

Revilla also urged the Philippine National Police to step up its campaign against loose firearms.

“The Philippine National Police should ensure that these loose firearms do not reach scrupulous individuals. Only responsible gun owners should be given licenses,” the senator said.

He also called for the review of the rules on the issuance of permits to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) following the deadly confrontation between the members of the Bautista and Sultan families in Imus.

“Carrying firearms outside residences is a privilege that should be accorded only to responsible gun owners,” Revilla said.

Revilla’s relatives who were killed in the clash were: Raul Bautista and his sons Raffy Bautista and Richie Allen Bautista. Two others, identified as Mahmod Sultan and Sowaib Salie, also died in the clash.

The sixth fatality Michael Salanguit died later in hospital.

“We are saddened by what happened to our relatives. They died a violent death, which was initiated by a simple traffic altercation. This could have been prevented had cooler heads intervened,” Revilla said.

Revilla batted for justice for those who were killed, particularly for members of the Bautista clan. 

“The families of the victims are crying out for justice. I am hoping that the police will act immediately and come out with positive results on this case. Whoever is responsible should be made responsible whether they are my relatives or not,” said Revilla, whose real surname is Bautista.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will join the Cavite Provincial Police Office in investigating the shootout.

CIDG chief Director Raul Castañeda yesterday ordered Senior Superintendent Rene Ong, chief of the 4-A Regional Criminal Investigation Unit to assist the Imus Police in probing the incident.

According to reports, the Bautistas parked their jeep at the Imus public market and were unloading ice when a To-yota Revo driven by Sultan arrived. The jeep of the Bautistas was apparently blocking the road.

Sultan blew his vehicle’s horn, which irritated the Bautistas eventually triggering the altercation.

Bautista and his two sons later went to the nearby market stall of the Sultans and the shootout occurred.

The Imus police recovered at least 40 spent shells of a caliber .45 pistol and a 9 mm pistol in the crime scene. Also recovered were a Beretta 9 mm pistol, and a Star 9 mm pistol.

The guns are now in the custody of the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Division. Castañeda ordered Ong to verify if the guns are licensed and if these were used in any other crime. – With Cecile Suerte Felipe, Mike Frialde