Multiple murder cases filed vs Task Force RCBC

The families of the slain victims of the Tanauan massacre filed yesterday criminal cases with the Department of Justice against 38 policemen who were members of Task Force RCBC and their superiors in connection with the killings.

The families of the victims represented by lawyer Harry Roque Jr. filed multiple charges against the policemen for the killings of Vivencio Javier, Angelito Malabanan and Rolando Lachica.

The complaints were filed by relatives of the slain suspects ex-barangay captain Vivencio Javier, 55; Angelito Malabanan, 35; and Rolando Lachica, 50. They were assisted by University of the Philippines law professor Harry Roque.

According to Roque, they used the 21-page report by the Commission on Human Rights on the Tanauan City alleged shootouts between the suspects and the policemen as basis of the complaint.

Accused in the complaint were task force members Superintendents Gilbert Sauro Jr. and Marcellano Villafranca, Senior Inspector Ricardo Dalamcia, Inspector Leovino Ricablanca, Senior Police Officers 3 Segundo Binay and Narciso Amante, Senior Police Officers 2 Rogelio Candelaria and Leo Morcilla, Senior Police Officers 1 Gaudencio Magsumbol, Angelito Dizon, Antonio Paombong Jr., Roberto Opeña and Lauro Camitan.

Also included in the complaint sheet were Police Officers 3 Romeo Panaligan, Adi Madlangbayan, Fernan Hernandez, Renie Malveda, Alexander Kim Sobrepeña, Richard Pinili, Police Officers 2 Roberto Godoy, Edwalberto Villas, Leonardo Aquino, Lyndon Herrera, Jimmy Roncal, Kelvin Bernas, Reynaldo Siringan, Jeffrey Luis Franca, Gilbert Molino, and Police Officers 1 Camelo Casalme, Danilo Salvatierra, Michael Rebato, Dexter Caudilla, Bren Sumadsad, Ryan Upao, Victoriano Sanil, Veniority Lago, Colonel David Quimio and Superintendent Jireh Fidel.

The three suspects were killed in an alleged shootout with the accused members of the task force in their homes in Barangay Pagaspas, Ta­nauan City on May 22.

It can be recalled that on May 16, 10 people were murdered by robbers at the RCBC branch in Cabuyao, Laguna. Most of the victims were bank employees preparing for the opening of the bank for the day’s dealings.

Subsequently, in what the police described as a shootout with the suspects in the RCBC robbery-slay, the three victims were massacred by the members of the Task Force RCBC in Barangay Pagaspas, Tanauan City in the wee hours of May 22.

Officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said they were surprised by the filing of charges against the policemen involved in the operations.

“We were taken aback by the latest action of interested parties in filing criminal charges against some PNP personnel involved in recent confrontation with armed suspects in Calabarzon,” said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome.

Bartolome added that “the issue over the death of some suspects is worth looking into, in the same manner that we must also look into injuries suffered by our policemen, and the risks they faced in confronting armed suspects.”

“We have complete faith in our justice system – that our policemen will be afforded due process and every fair opportunity to challenge the accusations and present evidence to prove their innocence,” the PNP spokesman said.

Bartolome said defending against counter-charges has become a way of life for police officers, especially those assigned to sensitive duty against organized crime, insurgency and terrorism.

 “But these are part of the professional risks that we must take if only to perform our duty. We are confident the truth will prevail,” he said.

The alleged shootout happened six days after robbers struck the Cabuyao, Laguna branch of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC). The Philippine National Police formed the task force to track down and arrest those behind the bloody bank robbery that left 10 people dead.