PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Friday assured that two maritime policemen accused of killing a fisherman off the coast of Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte last July 10 will not be shielded from criminal charges by the organization.

The top cop said that already, Senior Master Sergeant Rizyl Torricer and Patrolman Ariel Jay Panes, both assigned with Agusan del Norte Maritime Police Station, have been charged with murder in connection with the killing of the fisherman.

The victim was identified as Ikiel Kintanar, 31, resident of Bgy. Calibunan.

Reports sent to the Office of the PNP chief showed that Torricer and Panes were conducting seaborne patrol when they had a heated confrontation with a group of fishermen in the area which resulted in the fatal shooting of Kintanar.

“Sinisiguro ko sa inyo na haharapin ng dalawang pulis na ito ang reklamo laban sa kanila. I assure everyone that the PNP leadership will not shield its personnel from facing charges against them. Hahayaan naming harapin nila ang mga reklamo o kasong isinampa laban sa kanila,” Eleazar said.

The two policemen are now under the custody of the Cabadbaran City Police Station.

Following the incident, the PNP chief reminded his men to always observe maximum tolerance, except for instances where their lives are at stake.

“We always remind our men in the PNP to observe maximum tolerance and to use their weapon only at the most extreme of situations particularly if their lives are under threat. Pero hangga’t maaari, maximum tolerance pa din sana ang manaig,” he said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon