PNP offers services of SOCO in Vizconde probe

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo has offered the services and expertise of the police Scene of Crime Operatives (SOCO) in the effort to reinvestigate the Vizconde massacre case.

Bacalzo said the method and approach of the SOCO would finally put closure to the 19-year old case.

“If you remember, we did not have SOCO back in 1991 since the PNP then was a young organization,” Bacalzo said.

Bacalzo said the massacre of Estrellita Vizconde and her daughters Carmela and Jennifer took place on June 30, 1991, or five months after the PNP was formed in January 1991.

Bacalzo noted the police merely relied on local investigators to solve the case.

He admitted though that the joint re-investigation effort by the PNP, Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of the Interior and Local Government does not have new evidence that would justify a reinvestigation.

“What we have now is what we had before. Hopefully with everybody’s help we can solve the case,” he said.

On orders of President Aquino, authorities will review old files and retrieve all documents necessary for the reinvestigation of the case.

Bacalzo expressed confidence that they will be able to solve the case despite having only six months before the prescribed period lapses.

“We’re starting from zero. Really we’re starting from scratch. We will be retrieving all files, lab examination results, anything that is connected to the case,” he said.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said the panel would check if they have to talk to past witnesses, possibly including principal witness Jessica Alfaro.

Robredo said they will also be looking for Joey Filart and Dong Ventura, past suspects who were never apprehended.