Senator Richard J. Gordon is seeking a Senate inquiry “on the recent series of deaths of persons that are mainly illegal drugs-related killings by the police during police operations, under police custody and detention, and outside legitimate police duty to make the police more accountable and responsible to the people.”
In a resolution, Gordon cited National Police reports from July 1 to October 11, 2016, that recorded 4,248 illegal drugs-related killings by the police, of which 2,682 cases have been identified as the result of police operations and 1,566 as deaths under investigation.
“The most common reason cited for these deaths involves a situation wherein the person being arrested is able to disarm the police officer, which thereafter results in a shootout with the police…more popularly known as resisting arrest,” Gordon said.
He recalled that President Duterte earlier released “his narco-list,” naming five police generals as protectors of drug syndicates and subsequently revealed the names of sitting and retired local government officials, policemen and law enforcers allegedly involved in the drug trade.
Gordon added that among the local officials named on the list were Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao, and the late Mayor Rolando Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte.
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson is keen on recovering the hard -drive containing the closed-circuit television (CCTV) recording of the police raid that resulted in the killing of Espinosa, a suspected drug lord, and another detainee at the Baybay City Jail.
Lacson indicated that Senate investigators are banking on witnesses to pinpoint who took the hard drive when the Senate reopens the inquiry into the so-called extrajudicial killings (EJK) of drug suspects allegedly by law enforcers.
“Palagay ko naman may naka-witness sa pagtatanggal ng hard drive. Unless talagang nakatalikod at nakaharap sa pader ang mga guardia para hindi makita kung sino nagtanggal,” Lacson said.
He added: “The fact of the matter is, it cannot be denied the CCTV hard drive was taken away” but investigators have yet to establish who took it.
Lacson suggested that the CCTV recording could even help in the legal defense of the raiding team from the National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), who are being linked to the alleged summary execution of Espinosa and another detainee who was held in another cell.
“Makakatulong sana, magandang depensa sana ng CIDG na nag-raid na pabulaanan na EJK ang nangyari o summary execution ang nangyari kay Mayor Espinosa,” Lacson said.
Lacson added that among those expected to be summoned to testify at the resumption of the Senate inquiry on Thursday are Supt. Marvin Marcos, CIDG Eastern Visayas commander, and Chief Insp. Leo Laraga, leader of the raiders who killed Espinosa.
Lacson added that Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla is also expected to testify at the hearing, as the provincial jail is under his jurisdiction.
“Alam natin na ang provincial jail ay under sa provincial governor. Ito ang isang aspeto ng legislation na magulo: Ang control ng ating mga jail… ang mga local jail under BJMP [Bureau of Jail Management and Penology], under ng DILG. At ang provincial jail under sa provincial government. So, gusto natin malaman ano ang ile-legislate natin para maiayos natin, para ma-integrate natin ang pag-supervise over lahat na jail sa Pilipinas.”
He admitted that as far as he is concerned, “EJK, at least, in the death of Mayor Espinosa, appears to be evident. But, of course, we have to hear the side of the police, specifically those involved in the raid.”