Task Force Usig pushes ID system

The national ID system can be a useful tool in solving unexplained murders of militants and journalists, according to Chief Superintendent Geary Barias, the newly installed chief of Task Force Usig investigating the murders.

Barias explained the adoption of the national ID system will enable the police to readily identify and arrest suspects for eventual prosecution.

"With the ID system, criminals can easily be traced," Barias said.

He said investigators often had difficulty in solving the murder of activists and journalists in the absence of basic requirements to identify the killers, a fact that contributed to many unsolved killings.

Barias said the national ID should have basic information about the person, most especially fingerprints, to make it easier for investigators to compare fingerprints lifted from the crime scene to the national database.

In an effort to address the apparent police incompetence, Barias said a seminar will be conducted to further educate the police investigators on the proper procedure of investigation.

"There is a need for us to look into the pending cases not only on unexplained killings but all forms of killings. We have to see the manner in which the investigation was conducted, more on fine- tuning," he said.

Barias cited the murder of Light Courier publisher and editor-in-chief Hernani Pastolero in which police investigators have yet to crack open the case.

At present, Barias said there is no proper coordination among responding police officers, crime investigators and Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) pouncing on crime scene.

"We really have to establish proper coordination among police officers, who took part in the investigation of the crime to ensure that justice is served," Barias said.

Barias noted the separate reports made by Commissioner on Human Rights special rapporteur Philip Alston and the Melo Commission over the unexplained killings.

Despite the adverse reports blaming the security forces for allowing the killings to go unabated, Barias said Task Force Usig will continue its mandate to investigate the murders.

"We are not into damage control to counter the negative reports. We will just report the information accurately," he said.

Barias said the international community was not aware of the accomplishments and gains made by Task Force Usig in the investigation of the killings.

Barias said the PNP will utilize a police attaché to disseminate the gains made by Task Force Usig to the world.

Barias pointed out Alston and the Melo Commission did not take into consideration the report of Task Force Usig that 24 of the murders were carried out by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the apparent effort to purge their ranks of suspected spies and informants.