Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar ordered on Sunday (August 1) a thorough investigation into the death of a wood chopper in Marinduque, who was gunned down in front of his 10-year-old son by a man who allegedly identified himself as a policeman.
“Nakarating sa aking kaalaman ang paghingi ng tulong ng isa sa ating mga kababayan tungkol sa sinapit ni Alberto de los Reyes, na di umano’y pinatay ng isang nagpakilalang isang pulis sa harap mismo ng kanyang anak,” Eleazar said.
“Agad nating inatasan ang regional director ng PRO [Police Regional Office] 4B, Police Brig. Gen. Nelson Bondoc, na magsagawa ng malalimang imbestigasyon dito upang alamin kung ano ba talaga ang nangyari,” he added.
Based on the complaint aired by Janmart Hernandez Lacdao on his Facebook account, De los Reyes was asked to chop some wood in Sitio Pag-Asa, Bgy. Bagtingon, Buenavista town on July 30 when a man who allegedly identified himself as a policeman arrived and repeatedly shot him.
De los Reyes died on the spot as a result of the shooting.
Eleazar’s action on a Facebook post is part of his policy of attending to complaints and requests for assistance through social media platforms. Facebook is one of the platforms being monitored for complaints and requests for assistance through the PNP’s E-Sumbong initiative.
In issuing the order to investigate the case, Eleazar said he wants to know if the suspect is indeed a policeman and if he is, he should be held accountable for the incident.
“Kailanman ay hindi natin hinayaan at pinagtakpan ang pang-aabuso sa ating mga kababayan mula sa aming hanay. Kung talagang pulis nga ang may gawa nito, makakaasa ang pamilya na papanagutin natin siya,” Eleazar said.
“Right now, I am asking to let the investigation takes its course. Sa ngalan ng hustisya, makakaasa ang pamilya ni Alberto de los Reyes na personal kong tutukan ang kasong ito,” he added.
The PNP chief also ordered Bondoc to ensure the safety of De los Reyes’ young son who could be a potential witness to the killing. (PNP-PIO) – jlo
