No exchange of fire between cops, suspect

ORMOC CITY, Philippines — There was no gunbattle between the police and the suspect they were about to arrest last June 19 at Barangay Liberty in this city where two were killed and five other civilians were wounded, two of them children.

This was the initial findings of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Leyte whose personnel, along with those from the Commission on Human Rights, were in the city to investigate the tragic incident.

Chief Insp. Bernard Lao, CIDG-Leyte chief confirmed to The FREEMAN the SOCO report that only inbound volley of fire was observed. "After our re-enactment in the crime scene, we can say we agree with SOCO."

He however warned every one not to speculate because the investigation is still going on until now. "Hindi pa tapos ang trabaho namin. We are still waiting for the turn over from Dr. Castro of OSPA hospital some the evidences, such as slugs taken out from the patients and other documents based on the treatment of bullet wounds. We too are waiting for the results from the PNP crime lab," he said.

Lao also ruled out in the probe, the massacre angle that was earlier raised by some sectors, saying that given the fire power of the police team, if they intend to wipe out civilians, they can.

He admitted though that the operation of the Ormoc Police Office might have lapses because civilians died and wounded in the process. “The raid was a failure, at least in the present assessment,” said Lao but he said somebody must be responsible and accountable.

The CIDG-Leyte was also looking into the possibility of the police's failure to follow the standard procedure, citing the excessive use of force resulting in casualties and injuries of innocent civilians.

Lao said, "the raiding team weren't able to recover the body of their targeted wanted person. It was the barangay chairman who brought him to the hospital." Policemen must "secure the area first, negotiate and inform the villege chief. Just follow religiously the rules (in arresting people)," he said.

Thirteen policemen, including two officers, served a warrant against the city's most wanted person, Danny Dañas, but previous reports alleged that the suspect merged with the crowd, and entered the house of the barangay treasurer and fired shots at the authorities.

The police were forced to retaliate but not knowing that women and children, who were watching TV inside the house, were also hit. Barangay Chairman Demetrio Dañas reportedly found the wounded suspect in the kitchen and brought the latter to the hospital where he eventually died.

Lao said there was difficulty in consolidating the evidences for the case especially that the crime scene was already distorted when investigators went there.

CHR-8 supervising investigator Edgar Fernandez said they already got affidavits from the victims and their families, including the survivor Emeline Calob who remains confined at the hospital until now. — THE FREEMAN