5 Batangas cops face raps over gambling operator’s slay

MANILA, Philippines - At least five policemen from the Batangas Provincial Police Office are now facing murder charges for the death of a former administrative officer of an alleged gambling kingpin in San Juan, Batangas last Jan. 14.

Recommended to be charged for the killing of Fernando Morales alias “Pandoy” were Superintendent Raul Tacaca, chief of the Batangas Public Safety Battalion, Senior Police Officer 2 Edgardo Ilagan, Police Officer 3 Jonathan Cansanay, Police Officer 3 Christian Caguimbal, and Police Officer 3 Florencio Austria.

Several others whose identities have yet to be disclosed will also be facing charges.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima said the charges were filed last Monday before the Batangas Prosecutor’s Office.

Senior Superintendent Keith Ernald Singian, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) deputy director for operation, said the charges were based on the autopsy of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that Morales suffered six gunshot wounds.

“We have five policemen, plus Peter Does and John Does. Of the five, one was an officer while four others were non-commissioned officers,” Singian said in a briefing. “The autopsy reports, results of the testimonial and objective facts to include forensic exam, lead us to believe that a murder was committed against Morales.”

According to the statement of the victim’s wife, Norlita Morales, her husband was taken out of the room, dragged downstairs towards their kitchen and shot outside the house.

Over 23 policemen participated in the police operation against Morales, who was wanted for illegal possession of firearms in 2010.

Morales’ death came eight days after his former boss Vic Siman, an alleged kingpin of illegal gambling in Southern Tagalog and Bicol, was killed along with 12 other persons at a checkpoint in Atimonan, Quezon last Jan. 6.

Singian, however, said the CIDG investigation did not tackle the connection of Morales’ death to the killing of Siman.

“We considered the testimonies from the witnesses and of course the fact that the service of the warrant of arrest was made at 1:30 a.m.,” he said.

Singian noted that more than 23 policemen who were present during the police operations will be charged administratively.

Based on post-mortem and autopsy report, Singian said Morales had six gunshot wounds – three on the head, one on the right hand and one each on his legs.

Morales tested negative for gunpowder burns, indicating that he did not fire his gun prior to his death.

Singian, quoting the statement of the wife, said Morales only had on his underwear when the raiders arrived, but was instructed to put on his pants.

“Before Morales could button his pants, the wife claimed the lawmen started dragging him outside the house. It was dark,” he said.

During further investigation, Singian said “two of the five policemen who were charged admitted to have fired their personal caliber .40 firearm.”