Probe on Taguig shootout ordered

Metro police chief Director Ricardo de Leon grounded yesterday four members of the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU) who figured in a shootout over the weekend with Taguig policemen over two arrested drug addicts.

De Leon also gave Chief Superintendent Prospero Noble, director of the Southern Police District (SPD), and Senior Superintendent Leonardo Dionisio, chief of the directorial staff of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), 24 hours to submit their joint findings on the shooting incident.

The Metro police chief said Noble and Dionisio are presently determining who among the RSAU and Taguig personnel have fired their guns, which triggered the exchange of fire between the two groups, past midnight on Saturday.

"I’ve ordered the grounding of the four RSAU operatives. They are confined to barracks pending outcome of the investigation of the incident," De Leon told The Star.

Meanwhile, the municipal government of Taguig is also set to file charges against the RSAU operatives for shooting their glass wall.

The facade of the newly constructed Taguig Municipal Hall sustained bullet holes when the RSAU reportedly fired at the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) personnel of the local police. Bullet holes were seen at the glass wall of their Treasurer’s Office, the fourth floor and the aluminum post.

Taguig Municipal Mayor Sigfrido Tinga said they would also extend support to one of their Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) personnel whom the RSAU allegedly used as their "human shield" during their escape.

Tinga said they would sue for damages, but would still have to assess the cost.

The tension started when a certain Nasser Taynan, 37, of Upper Bicutan, tried to bribe police raiders of P18,000 to set free Kahar Goldy, 27, and Benjamin Usman, 49, who were arrested hours earlier by the anti-drug unit of the Taguig police. Taynan’s offer was reportedly refused.

A few minutes later, an RSAU special operations group member, PO1 Ladislao Nuguid, arrived at the station and accused the arresting officers of accepting the bribe money.

Nuguid called for reinforcements and demanded that the arresting officers go with them.

The two police groups then drew their guns and started firing but not aimed at each other. There were numerous bullet holes inside the station, but no one was reportedly hurt in the exchange of fire.

Tension was eased when Noble arrived at the police station.

De Leon could not say whether Nuguid was one of the four RSAU operatives he ordered grounded.

Mayor Tinga instructed the Taguig police to conduct a thorough probe on the incident. "Do not leave any stone unturred in the investigation of this case. All erring cops involved in this incident must be properly charged so they could be meted with proper disciplinary actions. — With Evelyn Macairan