THE House quad committee asked an explanation from the PNP on behalf of Rep. France Castro of the ACT Teachers party-list group after she revealed being caught in the line of fire of police officers who were chasing a motorcycle rider Wednesday night.
At the resumption yesterday of the panel’s hearing into extrajudicial killings and illegal drugs trade, Castro told the committee that she and several companions were on the roadside in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City between 11 and 11:30 p.m. when gunfire erupted around them.
She said while they were on the street, two police officers alighted from a patrol car and chased a man on a motorbike. The motorbike passed in front of the legislator’s group before circling behind them apparently using them as a barrier.
“Sa gitna ng traffic, nagpaputok ang mga pulis, kahit maraming civilians (In the middle of traffic, the policemen fired despite the presence of many civilians). Some of my companions pulled me down. It was a reminder of what happened to me before in Talaingod (in Davao del Norte) where the vehicle I was riding in was strafed by gunmen,” Castro said.
In light of various statements online and verbal warnings issued against her for her participation in the quad comm hearings, Castro said she is treating the incident as an attempt to harm her person.
“I am taking this as a threat to my personal security after I was directly threatened by former President Rodrigo Duterte and after being singled out by Vice President Sara Duterte in her numerous statements,” Castro said.
She asked that the quad committee seek a full incidence report from the BGC PNP to clarify why police officers opened fire in the middle of a crowded road and whether she was targeted or not.
“I look at this as part of my work because I have been very vocal about issues in this hearing,” she added.
Quad committee lead chair Rep. Robert Ace Barbers requested the PNP officials present in the hearing to inquire into the incident and provide an update report to answer Castro’s questions.
“It is of paramount importance to this committee as well as the whole House to protect its members. Dahil sa nangyaring yan, we would request that you facilitate and submit to this committee the report of that incident that happened at 11 – 11:30 p.m. in BGC in the city of Taguig,” he said.
‘MAKATI, NOT BGC’
The National Capital Region Police Office, in a statement, said based on “immediate inquiry” of the Southern Police District, the incident happened on Makati Avenue in Makati City and not in BGC Taguig City.
“Right now, our investigators are on the ground to determine the details of the incident. Part of the investigation is to find out why no report was made by Makati City Police Station regarding the incident,” it said.
“Pending investigation, the Chief of Police of Makati City Police Station, the Police Commander of Sub-Station 6 and personnel directly involved in the incident will be relieved from their posts to pave way to an impartial inquiry on the matter,” it also said.
