THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed three counts of murder charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 11 policemen allegedly behind the extrajudicial killing of a rent a car driver and two others last year last year in Oas, Albay.
In a 211-page complaint, the NBI countered the claim of the policemen that the victims Jose Maria Arvin Samson Bautista, a 28-year-old rent a car driver; Ramon Mutuc, 44 and Gregorio Garcia Jr., 42, were killed during an alleged anti-illegal drug buy- bust operation on July 20, 2021.
The NBI identified the respondents as Oas Municipal Police Station chief Majors Jerald John Villafuerte and Ray Anthony Villanueva; Captain Raul Racho, Lieutenant Victor Borjal, Staff Sergeant Mark Anthony Reblora, Master Sergeant Nestor Salire Jr., Patrolman Geoffrey Avila y Vargas, Staff Master Sergeant Romeo Raro Jr.; Chief Master Sergeant Marvin Boral y Reoveros, Staff Sergeant Henry Ballon, and Staff Sergeant Mark Jay Sevilla.
The police earlier claimed that prior to the shootout, one of the suspects was caught selling 10 grams of shabu worth P40,000 to an undercover agent.
However, when the suspect realized that he was dealing with police operatives he immediately drew his firearm and fired at the police poseur buyer.
The police said the group then engaged the police agents in a shootout, which resulted in their death.
Police authorities said some P1.75 million worth of shabu was found later in their possession.
However, based on the NBI’s investigation the victims did not engage the policemen in a shootout, as they were found negative for powder burns during paraffin tests.
The NBI said the guns allegedly recovered in the victims’ possession were “planted” to make it appear that there was a shootout.
Furthermore, the NBI said the victims were apparently shot at close range based on the trajectory of the bullets.
Autopsy report also showed wounds on the wrists of the victims, indicating that their hands were tied or handcuffed before they were killed.
The NBI conducted the investigation on the incident after Bautista’s family sought its assistance, insisting that the victim was not involved in the illegal drug trade.
The victim’s family also said their kin he no criminal record, particularly in illegal drugs.
Evelyn Bautista, mother of Jose, told the NBI that her son was the driver of Suzuki Ertiga with plate number NEK-1508 that was rented by Mutuc and Garcia who were bound for Quezon province last July 19, 2021.
The next day, the Bautistas received a call from a policeman from Oas, Albay that his son was killed in a buy-bust operation. 30