MANILA, Philippines(UPDATE 5) Sixteen personsincluding a seven-year-old girlwere reported killed in a running gun battle in the Sucat area of Paraaque

City. Alfonso de Vera, 53, and his seven-year-old daughter Alyanna were killed by members of police Special Action Force, according to witnesses at the site of a shootout inside the United Paraaque Subdivision 4, which the suspected robbers had entered while being chased by the police. De Veras wife, Lilian, told reporters that policemen might have mistaken their van, with license plate Van XEW-327, for one of the getaway cars of the suspected robbers. Also killed in the firefight were three other civilians, 10 suspected robbers, one policeman, the police said. Several others were wounded, including a ranking officer of the Highway Patrol Group, two members of the Special Action Force, a village watchman, and a security guard, said Director Leopoldo Bataoil, head of the Metro Manila regional police. The suspected robbers were members of the Waray-Waray Gang and Ozamis Group, Bataoil said. The shootout began at around 8:30 p.m. as the suspects, wearing black jackets similar to police jackets, were about to stage a heist, Bataoil said. He said one of the slain suspects had an M2O3 rifle and another had a shotgun. With Thea Alberto, INQUIRER.net
Last Edit: December 05, 2008, 10:17:02 PM by Sabra

MANILA, Philippines - At least 17 people, including a cop and three civilians, were killed in a shootout between police and members of two suspected robbery gangs in Paraaque City Friday night. Radio dzBB's Roland Bola reported that as of 4 a.m. Saturday, police continued to track down three suspected robbers who escaped aboard a commandeered sedan. "They started firing at everyone else including a flammable tank, including nasasalubong nila along the way (including anyone who got in their way)," Metro Manila police chief Dir. Leopoldo Bataoil said in an interview on dzRH radio. Bataoil said the gang was linked to a series of armed robberies where the perpetrators wore police uniforms. He said high-powered firearms including an M-203 grenade launcher, M-16 rifles, cal-.45 pistols, and a bulletproof vest and a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) uniform were recovered from the slain suspects. "Ito ang nagsusuot ng uniporme ng pulis at SWAT (These are the guys who pulled off robberies wearing police and SWAT uniforms)," he said.

Bataoil said the police are now looking for some of the robbers who escaped aboard a commandeered black Toyota Vios sedan (XTG-256). Police have also started an investigation into claims that police may have shot dead the civilians in a case of mistaken identity. The report said that of the 11 suspects who were killed, eight were aboard a maroon Toyota Revo utility vehicle (XJG-193) at United Paraaque Subdivision 4 (UPS-4) near West Service Road; and two aboard a motorcycle at Sucat Road. One died while being treated at a hospital. Two more suspects aboard a motorcycle were killed in a service road encounter. One of those slain was initially identified in the dzBB report as Ronel Campos, said to be a former member of the elite Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force. At least four of the suspects were brought to PNP headquarters in Camp Crame for interrogation. However, three other suspects escaped aboard a white vehicle and later commandeered a Toyota Vios in escaping. Three civilians were also killed during the incident, including a truck helper; and civilians Alfonso de Vera and daughter Lea. The de Veras were aboard an Isuzu Crosswind when shot. Metro Manila police chief Dir. Leopoldo Bataoil ordered an investigation into whether police mistook the two for robbers. Bataoil visited the relatives of the de Veras and promised a thorough investigation. On the other hand, at least one policeman was shot dead while three others were wounded. Bataoil identified the slain policeman as PO1 Nixon Benasoy. He also said Sr. Supt. Eleuterio Gutierrez Jr., team leader of the PNP Highway Patrol Group's Special Operations Division, was critically wounded after being shot in the head. Initial investigation showed the police prepared to intercept the robbers after receiving information the robbery gangs were to strike at Southern Transport at UPS-4. Recovered from the suspects were rifle grenades and M-16 rifles, the report said. Police said the 10 fatalities were alleged members of the Ozamis and Waray-Waray robbery gangs. Earlier report said 10 of the suspects were clad in black police jackets. The firefight between the gangs and police broke out on the West Service Road near the United Paraaque Subdivision 4 around 8:30 p.m. - GMANews.TV

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Gunmen armed with automatic weapons and grenades fired on Philippine police officers who were tailing them, leaving at least 16 people dead in a fierce shootout in a Manila suburb on Saturday. Officers were following suspected members of a robbery gang when the gunmen sensed the surveillance and opened fire, triggering the gunfight late Friday near a residential subdivision in suburban Paranaque city, metropolitan Manila police chief Leopoldo Bataoil said. He said the gunmen, some armed with M-16 rifles fitted with grenade launchers, thought they had been cornered and fired at everyone in sight. "When they found out they were being trailed ... they went berserk," he said. "They fired all around, including at a flammable tanker beside a warehouse." Among those killed were people nearby, including a man and his 7-year-old daughter who were sitting inside their car, were also killed. Authorities earlier had received a tip that the group was planning to rob the warehouse, and police deployed dozens of police around the area to apprehend the suspects, according to Bataoil. He said at least three of the gunmen were able to escape in a car they commandeered after firing a grenade at a gatehouse at the entrance to the community, wounding two guards. Three police officers were also wounded, he said. Bataoil said investigators believe the assailants belonged to a violent gang whose members have posed as police officers, adding that two of the slain gunmen were found wearing police-style bulletproof vests. The group has been blamed for the killing of bank teller and two guards of an armored truck that was picking up money from a bank on the University of the Philippines campus last month. Bataoil said he has ordered an investigation into the deaths of the civilians, particularly the man and his daughter.

. "Nakita ko, nakita ko niratrat nalang 'yung sasakyan ng mga operatives ng SAF kahit lumabas na si Alfonso ng sasakyan, pinagbabarilo pa rin. Di tinigilan hangang mamatay s'ya ng nakaluhod," said the witness. On Saturday, police released the names of the other fatalities, including the slain SAF member. The policeman was identified as Police Officer 1 Nixon Binasoy. The civilians killed, meanwhile, were de Vera, his daughter, security guard Arnel Malacawan, Bernard Tungcab and a female victim who remains unidentified as of posting time.

Tungcab was rushed to the Olivarez General Hospital but expired along the way. Cops hurt too Meanwhile, a ranking police officer and two SAF members were also wounded in the gunbattle. They were Senior Superintendent Eleuterio Gutierrez and SAF members Chief Inspector Hermogenes Cabe and Inspector Eric Roranes. Gutierrez is in critical condition at the Paraaque Medical Center. The slain suspects were named as Avelino Abayon, Rey Olarte, Ricarte Chaves, Baltazar Decurian Jr., Camilo Pastrana, Dennis Bassig, Danilo Tranca, Rommel Campos and Jesiry Vicemayor. The remaining fatality was unidentified. Three gangmen survived and were able to escape. A manhunt is underway after they fled on board a commandeered Toyota Vios car. Police said four suspected members of the robbery groups are now in their custody. The Commission on Human Rights and the National Bureau of Investigation, meanwhile, said they will investigate the shootout to determine if the policemen were at fault. Director Leopoldo Bataoil, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, meanwhile, appealed for calm following the deaths of the civilians. He vowed to dig deeper into the incident and said charges will be filed against policemen if proven that they fire indiscriminately. "Minsan talagang may nadadamay na sibilyan hindi maiwasan, mag-apa-imbestiga ako. If ever ma-prove na may kasalanan 'yung SAF, mananagot sila. Pero intindihin sana nila 'yung trabahio ng mga pulis. It's a difficult situation," Bataoil told ABS-CBN News around midnight. Police said the slain suspects are members of the "Waray-Waray" and "Ozamis" robbery gangs that are allegedly responsible for the series of bank robberies in Metro Manila, including the noontime heist inside the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City. Officials said that prior to the shootout, they received information that the suspects were going to raid a rental car company inside the subdivision. In an interview, director for police community relations German Doria said investigation showed two of the suspects were reportedly former enlisted men in the Philippine Army, while one was allegedly a former assistant instructor in the elite Army Scout Rangers. He said they are verifying the identities of the three alleged ex-soldiers with the AFP after the initial investigation indicated they had gone absent without leave several years back. Doria also increased the number of suspects slain in the shootout inside the United Paraaque Subdivision to 12, citing official police reports. The 12 were believed to be members of two robbery gangs, the Waray-Waray and the Ozamis groups. They were also allegedly responsible for a series of high profile robberies in Metro Manila. These guys are highly-trained, Doria said, adding that the suspects used high-powered firearms that are not in the police arsenal. Aside from the 12 killed, the Manila Police District arrested seven more suspects over the weekend. Doria said among those arrested was a leader of the group, who claimed three of their companions were former soldiers. He said they are also verifying the source of the weapons seized from the suspects, including an M203 grenade launcher, and M-16 and M-14 rifles. Doria also said the police, as much as possible, try to avoid hurting civilians during dangerous operations.

The police have come under intense criticism after five civilians, including a child and a security guard, were killed during the shootout in Paraaque City.

At least 17 people, including a cop and three civilians, were killed in a shootout between police and members of two suspected robbery gangs in Paraaque City Friday night. Officers were following the suspected robbers gang when the gunmen sensed the surveillance and opened fire, triggering the gunfight late Friday near a residential subdivision in suburban Sucat in Paraaque, metropolitan Manila police chief Leopoldo Bataoil said. He said the gunmen, some armed with M-16 rifles fitted with grenade launchers, thought they had been cornered and fired at everyone in sight. "When they found out they were being trailed ... they went berserk," he said. "They fired all around, including at a flammable tanker beside a warehouse." Among those killed were 12 suspected members of the gang and a police officer. Five people nearby, including a man and his 7-year-old daughter who were sitting inside their car, were also killed. Bataoil said the gang was linked to a series of armed robberies where the perpetrators wore police uniforms. "Ito ang nagsusuot ng uniporme ng pulis at SWAT (These are the guys who pulled off robberies wearing police and SWAT uniforms)," he said. Bataoil said the police are now looking for some of the robbers who escaped aboard a commandeered black Toyota Vios sedan (XTG-256). Police have also started an investigation into claims that police may have shot dead the civilians in a case of mistaken identity. The report said that of the 11 suspects who were killed, eight were aboard a maroon Toyota Revo utility vehicle (XJG-193) at United Paraaque Subdivision 4 (UPS-4) near West Service Road; and two aboard a motorcycle at Sucat Road. One died while being treated at a hospital. Two more suspects aboard a motorcycle were killed in a service road encounter. One of those slain was initially identified in the dzBB report as Ronel Campos, said to be a former member of the elite Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force. At least four of the suspects were brought to PNP headquarters in Camp Crame for interrogation. However, three other suspects escaped aboard a white vehicle and later commandeered a Toyota Vios in escaping. Three civilians were also killed during the incident, including a truck helper; and civilians Alfonso de Vera and daughter Lea. The de Veras were aboard an Isuzu Crosswind when shot. Director Bataoil ordered an investigation into whether police mistook the two for robbers.

Bataoil visited the relatives of the de Veras and promised a thorough investigation. On the other hand, at least one policeman was shot dead while three others were wounded. Bataoil identified the slain policeman as PO1 Nixon Benasoy. He also said Sr. Supt. Eleuterio Gutierrez Jr., team leader of the PNP Highway Patrol Group's Special Operations Division, was critically wounded after being shot in the head. Initial investigation showed the police prepared to intercept the robbers after receiving information the robbery gangs were to strike at Southern Transport at UPS-4. Recovered from the suspects were rifle grenades and M-16 rifles, the report said. Police said the 10 fatalities were alleged members of the Ozamis and Waray-Waray robbery gangs. Earlier report said 10 of the suspects were clad in black police jackets. The firefight between the gangs and police broke out on the West Service Road near the United Paraaque Subdivision 4 around 8:30 p.m. he Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against 22 policemen implicated in the December 2008 Paraaque shootout that claimed the lives of 16 people, including a seven-year old girl. In a 64-page resolution, CHR Commissioner Leila de Lima said that based on forensic ballistic evidence and witnesses accounts, some members of the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Highway Patrol Group (HPG) led by Chief Inspector Joel Mendoza were culpable for multiple human rights violation, incompetence, gross negligence, and obstruction of justice. The core finding is that multiple human rights violation has been committed including arbitrary killings, deprivation of the victims' rights to be secure, and failure to respect the right to be presumed innocent," she said. Mistaken for robbers The exchange of fire between cops and suspected members of Waray-Waray/Ozamis robbery-holdup group in United Paraaque Subdivision last Dec. 5, 2008 resulted in the death of 16 people. Five of them were civilians, including Alfonso de Vera and his 7-year-old daughter Lia Alyana. [See: 17 killed in shootout in Sucat area, Paraaque] De Vera's wife, Lilian, expressed elation with the decision, a radio dzBB report said. Nonetheless, she said she prefers it if the cops were formally charged for their supposed violations. Dapat may mangyari sa kaso natin para mabigyan ng lesson yung mga police (Our case should amount to something, to give those policemen a lesson)," De Vera said in the in the television interview. Lilian had earlier filed separate murder charges against 29 policemen in connection with the shootout. The policemen were also accused of violating the PNP's rules of engagement. [See: Multiple murder raps filed vs 29 cops over Paraaque shootout]

In her complaint, Lilian said the policemen may have mistaken her husband's vehicle for one of the getaway vans used by the suspects, who had engaged the law enforcers in a running gun battle. She said that based on the statements of witnesses, her husband and daughter were on board their Isuzu Crosswind (XEW-327) van when several police officers wearing Regional Special Action Force (RSAF) vests fired at them inside the United Paraaque Subdivision IV in Sucat district. She further claimed that Alfonso went out of the vehicle, moved to the front passenger side where Lia was sitting, and carried her out to safety as she was bleeding at that time. They were however, pursued and shot by the police. Among those named respondents in Lilia's complaint were: Deputy Director General Leopoldo Bataoil, head of the Philippine National Polices Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Northern Luzon; Chief Superintendent Leocadio Santiago Jr., head of the PNP-Special Action Force (SAF); and Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad, head of the PNP Highway Patrol Group. In an earlier decision, the PNP has recommended the filing of administrative charges against nine cops over the deadly incident. [See: Admin charges recommended for 9 cops in P'que shootout] Facing possible neglect of duty and grave misconduct charges were: Mendoza, Chief Inspector Lawrence Cajipe, Inspector Gerardo Balatucan, PO3 Jolito Mamanao Jr, PO3 Fernando Rey Gapuz, PO2 Eduardo Blanco, PO2 Edwin Santos at PO1 Josil Rey Lucena. Possible human rights violation meanwhile was recommended against P01 Elybeer Cayaban.

MANILA, PhilippinesThe Department of Justice (DoJ) has ordered the filing of two counts of murder against 25 policemen involved in a 2008 shoot-out with suspected robbers in Paraaque City in which a 53-year-old seaman and his 7-year-old daughter were killed. State Prosecutor Stewart Allan Mariano found probable cause to indict the lawmen for the death of Alfonso Jun de Vera and his daughter, Lia Allana, in the Paraaque Regional Trial Court. Marianos resolution was approved by Chief State Prosecutor Claro Arellano and Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon. No bail was recommended for Supt. Jonathan Calixto, Chief Insp. Hermogenes Cabe, Senior Insp. Abraham Abayari, Inspectors Erikson Roranes and Ludivico Cordova, Police Officers 3 Hagar Torres, Jericho Otadoy, Guilbert Lopez, Felix Base, Eugene Papat-ew and Policarpio Jose Jr., and Police Officers 1 James Yodong, Allan Apil, Efren Angcuan, Lloyd Bulayungan, Nemesio Gano and Sherwin Maybanting. All belong to the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF). Also charged were Chief Inspectors Lawrence Cajipe, Joel Mendoza and Gerardo Balatucan; Police Officers 3 Jolito Mamanao Jr. and Fernando Rey Gapuz; Police Officers 2 Eduardo Blanco and Edwin Santos; and PO1 Josil Rey Lucena, all belonging to the PNP-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Task Force Limbas. The policemen engaged suspected members of a robbery gang in a fire fight in United Paraaque Subdivision IV, West Service Road, on Dec. 5, 2008. Mariano gave credence to the testimony of witnesses Hilario Dauz Indiana and Ronald Castillo, saying their accounts were more than sufficient to establish probable cause and warrant the indictment of the respondents from SAF and HPG for the crimes charged. Witness account Indiana testified that De Vera and his daughter were not killed during the shoot-out. He said there was no exchange of gunfire as the policemen were in complete control of the area where the two were killed.

Castillo backed Indianas account that the lawmen strafed the Isuzu Crosswind that De Vera was driving, hitting his daughter who was seated in front. Castillo recounted that when De Vera alighted from the van to take his daughter out, some of the policemen followed him and shot him in the head. Mariano noted that 80 bullets were pumped into De Veras vehicle, indicating that many policemen participated in the shooting. It is without an iota of doubt that respondent-policemen from the SAF were seen by the two witnesses firing at the Crosswind vehicle of the De Veras, that they also shot Jun de Vera, and that there was no exchange of fire, he said. Bataoil cleared For indiscriminately shooting the van although there was no direct aggression foisted on them, and without first ascertaining their identities, as a consequence of which Lia died, and for shooting an unarmed defenseless and unarmed civilian in the person of Jun de Vera, who merely tried to secure Lia to a safe place, respondents from the SAF and HPG are liable for murder, qualified by the abuse of superior strength, Mariano added. The prosecutor, however, cleared now retired Deputy Director Leopoldo Bataoil, then head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Northern Luzon; SAF head Chief Supt. Leocadio Santiago Jr.; and Task Force Limbas head Chief Supt. Perfecto Palad. Although the three police officials participated in the pre-operations briefing against the Waray-Waray robbery gang at Fort Bonifacio, there was no proof that they conspired or participated in committing the crime, Mariano said. He said the only participation of the three officers was their prior knowledge of the operation and of the gun battle immediately after it happened. It was not directly shown that they have performed any overt act in pursuance or furtherance of the complicity to commit the crime, Mariano said. Also exonerated The DoJ also exonerated the ground commander, HPGs Supt. Eleuterio Gutierrez Jr., because he was practically rendered helpless when he was shot and severely wounded during the exchange of gunfire. Mariano said that when Gutierrez was hit, confusion ensued among members of the operating team that apparently led to the death of De Veras. He branded as absurd and incredible the claim of the HPG members that they were only arm ed with pistols and handguns during the operation and that none of them fired their weapons. The ballistic examination report of the Southern Police District (SPD), according to Mariano, contradicted the claim of the accused. Widows complaint The charges against the policemen stemmed from the complaint filed by De Veras wife, Lilian, who accused the policemen of violating the PNP rules of engagement that led to the death of her husband and daughter. She claimed that the policemen were cordoning off the area in an attempt to block a group of robbers who engaged policemen in a running gun battle on Sampaguita Avenue in United Paraaque Subdivision 4. The policemen, according to Lilian, might have mistaken their van, with Plate No. XEW-327, for one of the getaway cars of the suspects. She said her husband and daughter were on their way to pick her up in Pasay City as they had agreed to have a late snack together. Copyright 2013 INQUIRER.net and content partners. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

MANILA, Philippines(UPDATE 3) The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday recommended the filing of administrative and criminal charges against 18 policemen including two police generals, who were involved in the fatal shootout with robbers inside a Paranaque subdivision that killed 16 persons over a year ago. In a CHR resolution, Chairperson Leila De Lima said that those to be charged both criminally and administratively include 18 members of the elite police unit Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and three police officials. The CHR said the policemen committed multiple human rights violations during the 40 -minute shootout last December 5, 2008, which led to the death of six civilians, including seven-year old Lea Alyanna De Vera, at the United Paraaque Subdivision 4 in Barangay (Village) Marcelo Green. The three police officials recommended for criminal and administrative charges for obstruction of justice are: Superintendent James Cristobal; Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad, the former chief of the HPG and Chief Superintendent Orlando Mabutas, current chief of the HPG. De Lima said the three officials failed to institute sanctions against the policemen involved, particularly in the killing of De Vera and her father Alfonso. The policemen recommended for criminal and administrative charges for the deaths of De Vera and Ronaldo Eusebio were: Chief Insp. Joel L. Mendoza; Chief Insp. Lawrence B. Cajipe; Insp. Gerardo B. Balatucan; Insp. Doroteo R. Tolentino; Police Officer 3 Jolito P. Mamanao Jr.; PO3 Fernando Rey S. Gapuz; PO2 Eduardo G. Blanco; PO1 Josil Rey I. Lucea; PO2 Edwin C. Santos; and PO1 Elybeer Cayaban. Others included are Senior Police Officer 1 Jayson A Galimba; PO3 Arvin S. Ramos; PO3 Edwin C. Cuadra; PO3 Jesus S. Pascual; PO2 Fidel Quirejero; PO2 John I. Idio; and PO1 Wilfredo B. Reyes. De Lima said the CHR was greatly alarmed at the ease with which PNP personnel under investigation can conceal weapons subject of firearms identification and examination by the PNP Crime Laboratory. In its investigation, the CHR revealed that members of the HPG failed to surrender their firearms to the Crime Laboratory for testing. De Lima denounced the statement from the policemen who said they failed to surrender their firearms because the weapons they were carrying at the time of the shootout were not used. This position cannot explain the discovery of at least seven 5.56mm shells for M16 rifles recovered near the body of Alfonso De Vera, or the high-velocity bullet that killed Lia Alyanna, De Lima said. We find the members of Team II of the HPG most probably liable not only for murder, but for obstruction of justice as well, for knowingly and deliberately concealing and failing to surrender the long firearms they used in the killing of Lia Allana and Alfonso De Vera consisting of, as testified by Hilario Indiana, M16s, baby armalites and M14s, she added. The CHR added several police operational procedures (POP) were violated in the encounter such as the rule on moving vehicles. Under Rule 8 of the POP, Moving vehicles may not be fired upon solely to disable them. The driver or other occupant of a moving motor vehicle may be fired upon if the police have probable cause to believe that the suspects pose an imminent danger of death to the police or other persons. However, De Lima said policemen still fired upon the vehicle of the De Vera family although they do not present any threat to the HPG men. Also violated by the operatives during the shootout were Rules 6 and 7, on the use of deadly force and on reasonable force, said De Lima, who stressed the De Veras pose no threat to authorities. The police operation became out-of-hand, there was no respect for the human rights of the victims, De Lima said in a radio interview following a news conference where she released the findings of the body. The commission, however, withheld any recommendation on police operatives involved in the deaths of the three other civilians in the same shootout pending further investigation. Lilia De Vera, the wife of Alfonso, said she was satisfied with the recommendations of the CHR and hoped the prosecution would start immediately. We are happy that the CHR saw that the police were the ones involved in the death of my husband and my daughter, she said in a separate radio interview. The widow earlier filed a complaint against the 18 policemen before the Department of Justice.

ANILA, Philippines(UPDATE 3) The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday recommended the filing of administrative and criminal charges against 18 policemen including two police generals, who were involved in the fatal shootout with robbers inside a Paranaque subdivision that killed 16 persons over a year ago. In a CHR resolution, Chairperson Leila De Lima said that those to be charged both criminally and administratively include 18 members of the elite police unit Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and three police officials. The CHR said the policemen committed multiple human rights violations during the 40-minute shootout last December 5, 2008, which led to the death of six civilians, including seven-year old Lea Alyanna De Vera, at the United Paraaque Subdivision 4 in Barangay (Village) Marcelo Green. The three police officials recommended for criminal and administrative charges for obstruction of justice are: Superintendent James Cristobal; Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad, the former chief of the HPG and Chief Superintendent Orlando Mabutas, current chief of the HPG. De Lima said the three officials failed to institute sanctions against the policemen involved, particularly in the killing of De Vera and her father Alfonso. The policemen recommended for criminal and administrative charges for the deaths of De Vera and Ronaldo Eusebio were: Chief Insp. Joel L. Mendoza; Chief Insp. Lawrence B. Cajipe; Insp. Gerardo B. Balatucan; Insp. Doroteo R. Tolentino; Police Officer 3 Jolito P. Mamanao Jr.; PO3 Fernando Rey S. Gapuz; PO2 Eduardo G. Blanco; PO1 Josil Rey I. Lucea; PO2 Edwin C. Santos; and PO1 Elybeer Cayaban. Others included are Senior Police Officer 1 Jayson A Galimba; PO3 Arvin S. Ramos; PO3 Edwin C. Cuadra; PO3 Jesus S. Pascual; PO2 Fidel Quirejero; PO2 John I. Idio; and PO1 Wilfredo B. Reyes. De Lima said the CHR was greatly alarmed at the ease with which PNP personnel under investigation can conceal weapons subject of firearms identification and examination by the PNP Crime Laboratory. In its investigation, the CHR revealed that members of the HPG failed to surrender their firearms to the Crime Laboratory for testing. De Lima denounced the statement from the policemen who said they failed to surrender their firearms because the weapons they were carrying at the time of the shootout were not used. This position cannot explain the discovery of at least seven 5.56mm shells for M16 rifles recovered near the body of Alfonso De Vera, or the high-velocity bullet that killed Lia Alyanna, De Lima said. We find the members of Team II of the HPG most probably liable not only for murder, but for obstruction of justice as well, for knowingly and deliberately concealing and failing to surrender the long firearms they used in the killing of Lia Allana and Alfonso De Vera consisting of, as testified by Hilario Indiana, M16s, baby armalites and M14s, she added. The CHR added several police operational procedures (POP) were violated in the encounter such as the rule on moving vehicles. Under Rule 8 of the POP, Moving vehicles may not be fired upon solely to disable them. The driver or other occupant of a moving motor vehicle may be fired upon if the police have probable cause to believe that the suspects pose an imminent danger of death to the police or other persons. However, De Lima said policemen still fired upon the vehicle of the De Vera family although they do not present any threat to the HPG men. Also violated by the operatives during the shootout were Rules 6 and 7, on the use of deadly force and on reasonable force, said De Lima, who stressed the De Veras pose no threat to authorities. The police operation became out-of-hand, there was no respect for the human rights of the victims, De Lima said in a radio interview following a news conference where she released the findings of the body. The commission, however, withheld any recommendation on police operatives involved in the deaths of the three other civilians in the same shootout pending further investigation. Lilia De Vera, the wife of Alfonso, said she was satisfied with the recommendations of the CHR and hoped the prosecution would start immediately. We are happy that the CHR saw that the police were the ones involved in the death of my husband and my daughter, she said in a separate radio interview. The widow earlier filed a complaint against the 18 policemen before the Department of Justice. Lira Dalangin-Fernandez

MANILA, PhilippinesThe Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has found that police officers committed multiple violations of human rights in a supposed shoot-out with suspected robbers in Paraaque City in 2008 that left six civilians, including a 7-year-old child, dead. In a resolution dated Jan. 5, the CHR recommended the filing of charges against 24 officers of the Philippine National Police and the institution of policy reforms in the PNP to prevent a repeat of the killings. The CHR said basic rights were ignored on the night of Dec. 5, 2008, not because the civilians in the area were mistaken for criminals by the police but because they were presumed to be criminals. On that night, suspected members of the Waray Waray and Ozamiz gangs engaged policemen in a shoot-out inside a subdivision in Paraaque. At the end of the 40-minute gun battle, 16 people lay dead, including 10 alleged robbers and six civilians. Then Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, who headed the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), described the encounter as the bloodiest fire fight between the police and criminal elements in Metro Manila. Father and daughter Among the civilians killed were 53-year-old Alfonso de Vera and his 7-year-old daughter Lia Allana. Witnesses said the De Veras were killed by agents who apparently mistook their Isuzu Crosswind for one of the getaway cars of the suspected robbers. Initial findings showed that about 80 bullets hit the De Veras and their vehicle. The other civilians killed were Bernard Tuncab, Jesery Vicemayor and Arnel Macaloan. Operatives of the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG), PNP Special Action Force, NCRPO and Southern Police District were sent to the United Paraaque Subdivision 4 following a tip that a warehouse of Southern Transport Co. in the subdivision would be robbed. No blockades On Dec. 11, 2008, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) said the PNP violated the rules of engagement when it failed to install blockades that would have protected civilians from an anticipated shoot-out. The Napolcom also noted there was no ambulance on standby to attend to those who would be hurt. On Feb. 17, 2009, the CHR, which was conducting a separate probe, threatened to cite in contempt 33 HPG members for failing to attend a public hearing on the shoot-out. Two days later, the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) charged nine HPG members with grave misconduct and neglect of duty, and eight others with dishonesty for giving false testimony. PO1 Elybeer Cabayan was charged with grave misconduct and dishonesty after it was discovered that a bullet recovered near the older De Veras head was fired from Cabayans .45 cal. pistol. Cabayan had told the IAS that he was 2 kilometers away from De Veras vehicle at the time of the shoot-out. On April 3, 2009, the policemen charged by the IAS appeared at a CHR public hearing but invoked their right to remain silent. Inquirer Research Source: Inquirer Archives Copyright 2013 INQUIRER.net and content partners. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.