PNP chief Dionardo Carlos yesterday downplayed the National Bureau of Investigation’s filing of murder and perjury charges against 12 policemen in connection with the alleged shootout between PNP personnel and bodyguards of re-electionist Pilar, Abra Vice Mayor Jaja Josefina Disono last March.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Carlos stood pat on the result of the initial police investigation that said the firefight was triggered by the bodyguards’ ramming of a police checkpoint.
An NBI investigation showed the convoy of Disono was “deliberately fired upon” by policemen.
The NBI filed charges last Thursday before the Department of Justice against 12 policemen, including Cordillera Administration Region Police Director Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee and Abra Provincial Director Col. Maly Castillo Cula.
Also charged was election officer Rodrigo Basa II and several police John Does.
“Well, let them investigate,” said Carlos, noting that a video showed the bodyguards of Disono ramming the checkpoint that he said was being manned by policemen in complete uniform.
“With due respect to another law enforcement agency and investigation agency, go ahead (with the investigation), we have no problem with that. We are not going to hide but clearly, they (bodyguards) disregarded the checkpoint,” said Carlos.
Police officials earlier said policemen flagged down the van of Disono last March 30 in Pilar town for inspection and the occupants complied.
But a second van carrying Disono’s bodyguards refused to stop and rammed the checkpoint, injuring two policemen. Police said the bodyguards opened fire on pursuing policemen, hitting a police vehicle that led to a firefight. The firefight led to the death of one of the bodyguards.
The bodyguards fled to the residence of Disono and surrendered a day later with their firearms.
“There were armed men and there were firearms in that particular incident. So go ahead, we leave it up to them to investigate that but at the end of the day, we have our reason why the chase or the hot pursuit happened, it’s them disregarding (the checkpoint),” said Carlos.
The PNP has filed charges against Disono and her brother, Pilar mayor Maro Somera, for violation Republic Act 10364 or Anti-Trafficking in Persons about three weeks ago.
The PNP said the bodyguards who surrendered revealed they were promised to be employed as members of the Citizen Security Unit of Pilar town but were instead used as bodyguards without authority from the Commission on Elections.
“We will allow them to do their part. If they see something wrong, go ahead. That’s a due respect to another law enforcement agency,” said Carlos.
