Probe of billiard hall owner’s slay ordered

Metro Manila police chief Director Edgar Aglipay has stepped into the controversial case of a Quezon City billiard hall owner who was allegedly shot dead last Oct. 4 by a policeman while his hands were in handcuffs.

Aglipay directed his deputy chief for administration, Chief Superintendent Jose Lalisan, to probe elements of the Central Police District (CPD) Station 3 involved in the arrest and subsequent shooting of Jeremias Pineda Jr. alias Armstrong in Sitio Mendez, Baesa.

"I’ve ordered Gen. Lalisan to conduct a separate probe and make the necessary recommendations," said Aglipay in an interview with The STAR.

The shooting of Pineda was allegedly videotaped by his relatives, who promised to turnover the evidence to an independent probe body.

One of the 12 police officers who arrested Pineda, PO1 Yacub Zunco, admitted shooting the victim. He will be charged with homicide.

Aglipay urged Pineda‘s relatives to turn over the videotape to Lalisan. He also promised full protection for witnesses to encourage them to come out and reveal what they saw.

CPD director Chief Superintendent Victor Luga promised full cooperation with Lalisan for the speedy disposition of the case. Pineda was accused of frustrated homicide by his neighbor Rolando Vila. The victim resisted arrest, however, when confronted by CPD operatives.

Records show that Zunco shot Pineda when the latter drew with his left hand another handgun tucked in the back of his waist. Pineda’s right hand was already handcuffed.

Earlier, Luga tasked Senior Inspector Rodolfo Jaraza, chief of the CPD Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) to conduct a thorough investigation of Pineda’s killing and file the necessary charges against erring policemen if the evidence warrants.– Non Alquitran