Operational lapses in QC hostage-taking incident to be probed

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Avelino Razon ordered Central Police District (CPD) officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Oscar Marinas to conduct a deeper probe on the probable lapses of the Quezon City police Station 6 in handling the hostage-taking incident last Friday that led to the killing of a one-year-old boy.

"I have ordered an investigation in relation to this incident to check if there was violation of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) standard operating procedures on crowd dispersal," Razon told reporters during the general inspection of troops at the Amoranto Sports Stadium in Quezon City yesterday. "There are necessary operational procedures that need to be undertaken in instances like this," he explained.

Razon said the investigation will also focus on whether the ground commander, Batasan Hills police station chief Superintendent Arturo Navarette, followed proper operations procedures. "We will know if there is gross negligence on his part," Razon said.

While reviewing the television footage of the incident, Razon noted the big number of onlookers and bystanders at the scene. Under these circumstances, Razon said the ground commander should have cordoned off the area for least 50 to 100 meters radius to avoid hecklers from "influencing the attitude of the hostage-taker."

Razon said even the supposed rescuers should have had ample space to be able to secure the hostage-taker.

Nestor Silang, 33, jumped off the 30-foot high footbridge along Commonwealth Avenue near the Sandiganbayan on Friday with his one-year-old son. He survived but his son died of internal hemorrhage.