Family of slain narcotics agent asks NBI for help

The family of a 32-year-old Northern Police District (NPD) narcotics agent killed in a shootout inside the district’s anti-drug unit office sought asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday to conduct a deeper investigation into the case.

Dolores Gaddi, 58, mother of slain policeman PO3 Eduardo Gaddi, maintained that her son was a victim and not an aggressor as claimed by his superior, Superintendent Reynaldo Orante, then chief of the just disbanded NPD Drug Enforcement Group (DEG).

"We are seeking the help of the NBI and also the National Police Commission (Napolcom) and any other concerned government agency, for we want the truth and justice in my son’s death," she said.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) started yesterday their official probe on the "hostage-taking" incident.

At around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday, Gaddi, 32, reportedly shot it out with Orante and three other agents inside the DEG office on Langaray street in Caloocan City.

Gaddi, who allegedly resented Orante’s order transferring him to Valenzuela City police, "took hostage" his chief and fired at Orante once grazing the police colonel’s neck.

In the ensuing commotion, three other police agents SPO4 Jorge Tabayag, DEG’s senior investigator, Inspector Rodrigo Soriano, Orante’s deputy, and SPO3 Manolito Manalo, came to Orante’s rescue.

Gaddi succumbed to four fatal wounds in the chest while Tabayag was wounded in the right hand.

Gaddi’s wife Edna, 22, disputed Orante’s claim that the victim resented his relief, saying her husband long wanted to depart from the DEG and was even pleased upon learning that NDP director Senior Superintendent Marcelino Franco approved his request for transfer.

"He (Gaddi) went back to their office that night only to pick up some of his belongings," she said. – Pete Laude