DOJ may clear SWAT cops in Sucat clash death

MANILA, Philippines - Police officers from Parañaque’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, who were initially blamed for the violent demolition of a wet market along Sucat Road, where one died and at least 40 others were hurt, may be cleared. 

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima hinted yesterday at the possibility that none of the police officers were responsible for the death of 20-year-old Arnel Leonor, the lone fatality in the clash, following the results of an autopsy conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as part of its parallel probe of the incident.

In an ambush interview, she said the bullet that killed Leonor possibly corresponded to a 9-mm pistol or to a .38-caliber revolver.

“The nature of the wound could have come from a handgun – not a rifle. Now that has to be considered because based on information, members of the SWAT team that assisted in the demolition were armed with M-16 (rifles),” she said.

De Lima said the next challenge to the NBI is to determine where the bullet came from.

 Possible suspect?

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said yesterday that a resident, Victor Etrata, was found positive for gunpowder burns. He was one of those arrested during the demolition.

Robredo, however, said 18 of the SWAT policemen who were at the demolition also tested positive for firing a gun.

“We are determining the accountability of our policemen. Paraffin and ballistic tests have been conducted. All those caught on video hitting protesters will be investigated” and charged, he said.

Robredo also defended the Parañaque City police, saying the police officers did not start the violence.

Authorities earlier accused militant groups of instigating residents to attack the police officers who went to the area to implement a court order for the demolition of the wet market.

De Lima said investigators should take into consideration two main factors in their probe – if the police resorted to excessive use of force and if their actions were provoked by the residents or any other group in their midst. She believes the “rule on proportionality” should be considered in resolving this issue.

Residents face probe

Malacañang said yesterday the possible offenses committed by residents who attacked authorities during a demolition in Parañaque City would be included in the investigation of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

“Suffice it to say that we are looking into the whole incident not only on the abuses by the policemen when some of the rallyists were inflicted harm while under handcuffs. We’re also looking into why it happened. But there were a number of questions that came out two days ago accusing the government of this demolition. Let me state for the record that the demolition order was issued by the regional trial court. It’s not by the national government,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

He said he hopes militant groups “stop confusing the public on this. Check your facts first before you start accusing the President.”

 – With Aie Balagtas See, Aurea Calica