Laguna town police chief axed over summary killings

LAGUNA, Philippines – The chief of police of the town of Victoria and 10 of his men were removed from their posts in connection with the alleged murders of two men found in San Pablo City last Saturday.

Relieved were Victoria police chief Senior Inspector Jerry Abalos; his deputy Inspector Jesus Labrador; Senior Police Officer 1 Alexander Asis; Police Officers 2 Chris Vergara, Romano Calucag, Ronald Sumilang, Jerry Ohagan, Benedict Mercado, and Police Officers 1 June Armanda, Jemarco Nollido and Serafin Inte Jr.

Laguna police director Senior Superintendent Florendo Saligao said the officers were placed under restrictive custody pending the result of an investigation into the deaths of Raymond Reyes and Alfred Magdaong.

Saligao said the police officers and their service firearms would be subjected to paraffin and ballistics tests, respectively.

The bodies of Reyes and Magdaong, both shot in the head, were found handcuffed in Sitio Maabo at around 4:20 a.m.

Saligao said witnesses and relatives of the victims claimed the two were at the Victoria police station hours before they were found dead. San Pablo City residents said they did not hear any gunfire in the area where the victims were found.

Saligao said the relief of the police officers would pave the way for a fair investigation.