PNP probes death of NDF peace consultant in Iloilo
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Sunday said they welcome any independent investigation into the killing of National Democratic Front (NDF) peace consultant Reynaldo Bocala during a police operation in Iloilo.
The top cop said that although they have an official report on the incident, it is within the rights of Bocala’s relatives and colleagues to seek an independent investigation.
Rights group Karapatan has called for an independent probe on the incident, claiming that Bocala should still be under the protection of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).
“If they want an independent probe, so be it. Bukas po ang PNP doon. Pero gaya ng sa ibang kaso, papasok ang Internal Affairs Service dito para magsagawa ng motu propio investigation upang alamin kung may pagkukulang ang mga operatiba kaya humantong sa pagkamatay ng suspek,” said Gen. Eleazar.
Members of the Police Regional Office 6 and the Armed Forces served arrest warrants issued by different courts against Bocala and his companion Willy Epago at Bocala’s house in Barangay Balabag in Pavia, Iloilo on Friday night.
According to the PRO6, Bocala resisted arrest and fired at the policemen who triggering a shootout with the suspect and his companion. Both men were died in the encounter.
The 74-year-old Bocala is the husband of Maria Concepcion “Concha” Araneta-Bocala, who is on the list of terrorists released recently by the Anti-Terrorism Council.
Bocala was said to be a former deputy secretary of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Panay. A P4.8 million bounty was reportedly put by the government for his arrest.
