2 policemen face raps for Calabarzon murders

MANILA, Philippines - Calabarzon police director Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr. ordered the filing of criminal and administrative cases against two policemen from Batangas and Laguna who figured in separate shooting incidents that left two women dead on Sunday.

Pagdilao ordered the immediate conduct of summary dismissal proceedings against SPO1 Julian “Jay” Piamonte Atienza, 48, of Calamba City police station and PO3 Roman Andal Kasilag of Lipa City police station.

Pagdilao said that pre-charging of the two policemen will serve as a strong message to the public and to other police offenders in the Southern Tagalog Region that the Philippine National Police will not protect its own erring personnel, nor will condone criminal acts committed by policemen, especially violence against women.

Pagdilao said that Atienza was the primary suspect in the killing of Jennyfer Manaig, 29, of Barangay San Jose, Calamba City while Kasilag was positively identified by two witnesses as the one who fatally shot Roselle Malauan, 33, a manicurist from Sitio Paraiso, Barangay Balintawak, Lipa City.

Pagdilao said that around 6 p.m. last Sunday, at Cuervo 2, Barangay Halang, Calamba City, a confrontation between Atienza and victim Manaig ensued over a parking lot space.

Investigation disclosed that Manaig was then fixing her motorcycle in front of her residence when the altercation occurred. At the height of the confrontation, the suspect went to his car and upon returning, he drew his firearm and shot the victim on the neck.

Manaig was rushed to Pamana Hospital but she died while undergoing medical treatment. Atienza surrendered to authorities. – With Ed Amoroso