PNP vows due process for cop tagged in Batangas mayor's killing

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday assured due process for the police officer implicated in the killing of former Tanauan City, Batangas mayor Antonio Halili.

This came after retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma disclosed in a recent Quad Committee hearing at the House of Representatives that a certain "Maj. Albotra" from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 (Central Visayas) boasted about killing Halili.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said upon verification from their personnel records, five personnel have the surname Albotra, three of whom have retired, one has resigned, and one, identified as Capt. Kenneth Albotra, is in active service.

"Without pinpointing to anyone, we have to observe due process. We do not conclude that he is the one being tagged but we are doing this in the spirit of transparency. Actually, there was a mistake in his rank that was mentioned. He is just a captain now. But he will be given his time and his day in court to clear his name," Fajardo added.

Kenneth Albotra has denied the allegations, saying Garma may be confused.

Fajardo, meanwhile, said the PNP would backtrack Albotra's records and confirmed that the latter was assigned to PRO-7.

"The CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) is now in the process of retrieving, restudying, and assessing the direction of the investigation on the killing of Mayor Halili and other cases," she said.

Halili, who was known for his "shame campaign" against criminals and drug suspects in his city, was gunned down by a still unknown assailant during flag-raising rites at the Tanauan City Hall on July 2, 2018.

Fajardo also said the PNP is readying charges against Garma, former police colonel Edilberto Leonardo, and Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza over the killing of former PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

She also said it is too early to consider the possibility of Mendoza becoming a state witness.

"Based on the provisions of the WPP (Witness Protection Program), law enforcers are not eligible but the DOJ (Department of Justice) is studying a provision, which may apply to Mendoza's case, for disclosing his knowledge with respect to the case of Barayuga," she said.

Mendoza earlier admitted that upon orders of Leonardo, he contacted a certain Nelson Mariano to hire assassins to kill Barayuga.

Fajardo, meanwhile, said the CIDG is just waiting for the affidavit to be signed by Barayuga's wife, which would support the filing of charges against the three.

She said Barayuga's driver who survived the attack would be a complainant for a separate frustrated murder case to be filed against Mendoza, Garma, and Leonardo.

Meanwhile, the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP) expressed hope that the former PCSO chief's revelations would remind police officers to serve the nation's interests and not certain individuals only.

Garma earlier revealed that former president Rodrigo Duterte ordered a nationwide operation that is similar to the Davao City model of supposed extrajudicial killings (EJKs), where the police are supposedly provided with financial rewards for killing drug suspects.

"To me, this should be a wake-up call for them (police) that they should be after the welfare of the people, and not after the vested interests of particular individuals only. This would be helpful not only in aid of legislation but also for those in the police ranks," MOP Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio said in a radio interview.

He also reminded police officers to have the conviction to serve God, the country, the people, and the community and uphold values.

The MOP covers all military, police, and the other branches of the Armed Forces. (PNA)