Woman wants new probe on death of policeman son

CEBU, Philippines - The mother of one of the two policemen who allegedly shot each other dead has requested the Police Regional Office-7 for reinvestigation of the case.

Emma Gabutan, the mother of the late Police Officer 1 Rey Gabutan, said she had earlier requested the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Justice to conduct the reinvestigation.

Emma told The FREEMAN that she was frustrated to know that the matter was referred back to the National Bureau of Investigation-7.

Both Emma and the family of the late Police Officer 1 Anthony Gonzales have doubts on the findings of the earlier investigation, which ruled out foul play on the death of the cousin policemen on March 23 last year in Guadalupe, Cebu City.

This prompted Emma to seek reinvestigation from PRO-7 Director Chief Superintendent Prudencio “Tom” Bañas.

Bañas reportedly tasked the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division-7 headed by Senior Superintendent Henry Biñas to conduct the reinvestigation.

“Naglaom ko nga mogawas gyud ang tinuod nga resulta nga wa gyud to sila magpinusilay ang akong anak kay suod kaayo to silang duha (I am hoping the true results will surface. He never figured in a shooting incident with my son because they were close friends),” Emma said.

Emma had earlier claimed foul play and called that justice be served for her son.

Emma said the result of the earlier ballistic examination conducted by Dr. Nestor Satur, chief of the PNP Crime Laboratory-7, would already suffice foul play in the incident.

Gabutan was shot in the right temple, nape, right arm and right chest.

Satur’s autopsy results also showed that Gonzales was seated when he was shot in the upper left chest. The bullet hit his aorta and right lung.

Gabutan was detailed at the Guadalupe Police Station while Gonzales was assigned in Siquijor Provincial Police Office but they both resided in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

They were drinking inside the house of Police Officer 3 Arnel Palanas, who is assigned in Cebu City Police Office Dental Service, when the incident happened last March 23.

They were with Police Officer 2 Lejay Gumandal, who is assigned in Bohol Provincial Police Office and Palanas’ reported girlfriend. — Gregg M. Rubio/JMD (FREEMAN)