Dr. Perlas murder case; Kin happy over filing of raps vs suspects

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The recent filing of a murder complaint against four suspects had given hope to the bereaved family that justice will be served for the killing of a 31-year-old rural town physician Dr. Dreyfuss Perlas more than a month ago.

Dreyfuss, a native of Aklan who worked as the municipal health officer of Sapad town in Lanao del Norte, was gunned down March 1 in Kapatagan town of the same province.

“We’re happy with the filing of the case. At first, we were having apprehensions if there are persons who would stand as witnesses against the perpetrators. It’s an answered prayer,” said Dreyfuss’ father, Batan municipal Councilor Dennis Perlas.

But while the Perlas family in Batan town of Aklan province was elated of the development, they are also aware that it would just be a start of a long journey. “For one, a warrant of arrest has yet to be issued against the suspects,” Dennis said.

On top of that, “they (suspects) have yet to be arrested. We fear na baka magtago na sila kasi nabulabog na,” Dennis told The Freeman in a telephone interview. But he vowed to see the case against the alleged perpetrators till the end. “Kahit anong hirap, I will personally see to it that I will attend all court hearings,” he said.

Dennis said that from Kalibo (Aklan’s capital), he could choose to go to Lanao del Norte via Cagayan de Oro, Pagadian or even Ozamis. But being the complainant, “I will make sure that I have to be there,” he said.

If in case the suspects will be arrested and the hearings will start, Dennis said he will file a motion asking the court for the transfer of the venue of the hearings to Aklan. “If it’s possible, we want to do it in Manila,” he said, adding that the family also fear for their lives if they would go to Lanao del Norte. “It’s their turf.”

On March 21, the police filed a murder complaint against four persons. Senior Superintendent Faro Antonio Olaguera, Lanao del Norte Police provincial director, said two of the respondents were already identified and reportedly found to be hired guns who allegedly were the triggermen in the killing of the physician.

Olaguera did not elaborate further on the identities of the suspects claiming that it might jeopardize police investigation and operations. But he claimed that the Perlas killing was work-related.

“Doctor Perlas was slain in connection to his official functions. May nakaalitan siya. Siguro nag-accumulate na ‘yung galit,” said the police official without giving more details about it.

In the absence of an arrest warrant, Olaguera said the police could only do monitoring on the suspects’ whereabouts. “Based on our information, they are still within our area of responsibility,” he said. And for him, the filing of the case is a big leap in solving the Perlas murder case. “And we thank those who prayed with us to solve this.”

Olaguera cited the help of PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Dimaporo, and Police Regional Office-10 Director Chief Superintendent Agripino Javier.

Dreyfuss’ death has underscored the risk of physicians assigned in remote areas, said Olaguera.

Before he was designated rural health physician of Sapad, Dreyfuss was part of the government's Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) program. Despite pleas from his family, Dreyfuss chose to stay and served the people of Lanao del Norte until he was killed. (FREEMAN)