7 witnesses to testify vs cops in Lozada ambush

The National Bureau of Investigation has seven witnesses who are willing to testify against 10 agents of the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group (PNP-IG) who allegedly shot and killed two persons "by mistake" along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City last Thursday.

Oscar Embido, head of the NBI’s Intelligence and Special Operations Division said yesterday that the witnesses, whom he refused to identify for security reasons, could help positively identify the suspects involved in the incident.

Killed in the incident were 48-year-old Fernando Lozada, a hotel worker and a resident of 49 Ferdinand St., Vista Verde Executive Village in Cainta, Rizal and Marian Uson, a friend of Lozada’s daughter, Clarrisa Frances, 17. Clarissa herself was seriously wounded.

Reports said the victims were shot by the police agents under PNP-IG head Senior Superintendent Reynaldo Berroya, who mistook them for a group of kidnappers responsible for the abduction and subsequent killing of Harry Bacalla, son of the late Quezon City Judge Marciano Bacalla.

Ombudsman Aniano Desierto said yesterday he has directed the Deputy Ombudsman for the military Orlando Casino to form a panel of "veteran investigators" to look into the case.

Senate Minority Leader Renato Cayetano, chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, said yesterday he would seek a Senate inquiry into the killings. Part of the Senate investigation, according to Cayetano, will be a review of the so-called PNP "Rules of Engagement" to ensure strict compliance and prosecution of violators.

Investigation showed that the incident occurred at about 8:20 p.m. while the victims were inside their car with plate number TKM-265, cruising along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.

Lozada, chief steward of the New World Hotel, Clarissa and Uson were on their way home when they were flagged down by the gunmen, who were on-board two parked vehicles.

Lozada spotted the armed men, sensed trouble and sped-off. The victims fled onboard the vehicle and the PNP-IG operatives pursued them triggering a high-speed chase that took them all the way to Maria Clara street in Barangay Sto. Domingo.

As the victims’ vehicle reached the area, the gunmen, who were not far behind, again then reportedly opened fire, hitting Lozada in the back of the neck. The victims’ car then crashed hard into a gutter. — Mike Frialde, Delon Porcalla, Christina Mendez and Efren Danao