Bañas orders probe into shooting of cop

CEBU, Philippines- The director of the Police Regional Office-7 has ordered for a full investigation into the shooting of a policeman in Nivel Hills, Barangay Busay, Cebu City Sunday morning.

Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, PRO-7 director, said all angles should be considered in the attempt to kill Police Officer 3 Ramon Bolongaita.

Bañas said the investigation should not be limited to assumptions considering the “risky” nature of policemen’s work.

“Lahat-lahat na paiimbistigahan natin. Mahirap mag-conclude without any basis,” said Bañas.

Last Sunday morning, Bolongaita, who just arrived home from church with his family, was shot seven times by two unidentified men onboard a motorcycle while he was about to park the vehicle.

Bolongaita’s wife and children were not hurt since they already disembarked from the car.

Bolongaita, who is currently assigned at the Regional Police Holding and Accounting Unit of the PRO-7, is now out of danger after he underwent an operation at the Perpetual Succour Hospital.

Bañas said as of now, investigators are looking into three angles behind the shooting: personal grudge, business interest and work-related.

Bañas said since they started the war against illegal drugs and other criminal acts, issues like criminals being angry at police have been his concern.

“When we took our oath as policeman, alam natin ang threats sa buhay natin. But we are here in the service of the people. Para sa taong bayan to,” said Bañas.

 “Sa ating kapulisan, ingat lang po kayo. Ingat lang talaga dahil may mga tao who will take advantage of any weakness that we will show. Ang atin lang is that we will not allow them to go unpunished,” reminded Bañas.

“So let us be resolute and firm in our anti-illegal drugs campaign and our fight against criminality,” he added.  (FREEMAN)