HPG personnel won’t heed NBI’s subpoena

CEBU, Philippines - Lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna who represents Highway Patrol Group-7 personnel in the probe into the death of lawyer Noel Archival said his clients will not appear or execute affidavits before the National Bureau of Investigation.

Dela Cerna said the bureau is but on a “fishing expedition” and would have already filed a case against HPG deputy chief Eduardo Mara, special operations team chief Sr. Supt. Romualdo Iglesia, Sr. Insp. Joselito Lerion and former property custodian SPO4 Edwin Galad if there is enough basis.

HPG spokesperson Sr. Insp. Oliver Plaña told the media that many of their personnel have been demoralized by allegations the agency may have something to do with Archival’s death.

The NBI recently recovered a red Toyota Corolla Vios (GCS 675) from the impounding area of the HPG. The vehicle, registered under the name of one Nora Year, is believed to be one of those used by assailants during the ambush in Dalaguete town more than a month ago.

NBI Regional Director Max Salvador said they are just doing their job and had no intention of dragging HPG’s name into the controversy.

“It’s not our fault. We’re just investigating,” he said.

He also acknowledged that it is the HPG personnel’s constitutional right not to answer despite a subpoena from the bureau.

The NBI and the Special Investigation Task Group Archival of the Philippine National Police have asked PNP chief Alan Purisima to order the HPG personnel to submit their firearms for ballistic examination. 

Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac, SITG head, said they have sent a formal letter to Purisima last week and are expecting a response within the week.

They are asking that all issued 5.56 rifles and 9mm pistols be submitted to the PNP Regional Crime Laboratory.

Gillamac also clarified again the HPG men are not suspects just yet but are merely subjects of investigation.

“No need for camp restriction for their people because they are not yet suspects but subject of the investigation,” Gillamac said

No strain

Despite the seeming inter-agency conflict, Police Regional Office -7 Director Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino said yesterday that the case has not affected the work relations between PRO-7 and HPG.

Constantino said he and Sr. Supt. Romualdo Iglesia of HPG7 remains in constant communication. In fact, he has been invited as guest to today’s motorcycle riding course at the HPG in preparation for the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Cebu.

He said that as officers of the law, HPG-7 personnel understand why their agency has been covered by the investigation. He said that they have nothing to worry about if they are not guilty of anything wrongdoing.

“Later on, kung wala namang ebidensya na magpapatunay na involved sila, good for them. If the investigation will lead to them then wala tayong magagawa,” Constantino said.

Archival and his three staff members were onboard a Ford Escape SUV heading back to Cebu City from Dumaguete City when they were ambushed in Barangay Corro, Dalaguete. He had just come from a hearing representing Jesuslou Elcarte Alegria, the alleged mastermind in a pawnshop heist in the city.

Archival, Edu Miñoza and Alejandro Jaime died in the attack while Paolo Cortes survived.  (FREEMAN)