60 Davao City cops probed on kidnap rescue shootout

DAVAO CITY , Philippines – At least 60 policemen were summoned yesterday by the City Internal Affairs Service (CIAS) of the Philippine National Police to be investigated on their participation in the supposed shootout in the rescue of a Filipino-Chinese businesswoman here last July 11.

Superintendent Lorenzo Gernato, Davao City CIAS director, summoned the policemen named in a list submitted by the city police to have been involved in the operation to rescue Sally Chua, 52, who was kidnapped in Quezon City last July 5.

The police officers were reportedly being investigated following allegations that there was “overkill” in the killing of the three suspected kidnappers of Chua.

One of the suspects, who escorted Chua in a bank along C.M. Recto Avenue, was arrested while they were about to withdraw the supposed P15-million ransom in exchange for her freedom.

Lawyer Salvador Panelo represented the policemen in yesterday’s hearing of the CIAS. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte hired him as legal counsel of the police officers.

Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, city police chief, who headed the rescue operation, was not among those who were summoned yesterday.