CHR exhumes remains of man allegedly killed by policemen

SIQUIJOR, SIQUIJOR , Philippines — A forensic team from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Manila conducted an exhumation of the remains of Rudy Balangitao, from the municipal cemetery in Brgy. Napo of San Juan town in Siquijor, who died of a gunshot allegedly by police authorities.

Forensic team leader, Dr. Joseph Andrew Jimenez, with Jess Cañete, OIC of CHR Negros-Siquijor Area, oversaw the exhumation of the skeletal remains of Balangitao, which was witnessed by the victim’s wife and brother.

Cañete told The Freeman that the case was the first probe in Siquijor submitted to the CHR, as raised by the immediate family of Balangitao.

Balangitao was shot dead on December 11, 2010 by policemen who served an arrest warrant (dated September 25, 2009) issued against him by RTC-Siquijor branch 46 Judge Mario Trinidad for estafa.

The arresting team consisted of elements of the Police Provincial Intelligence and Investigation Branch (PIIB) and Provincial Public Safety Platoon (PPSP).

A report of the San Juan Police stated that, during the serving of the warrant, the police introduced themselves to the people in the house of Balangitao, who however tried to elude arrest by jumping out of the house through a small window opening. He allegedly took some firearms with him.

The report also revealed that when Balangitao was about to be cornered, the police frisked and commanded him to surrender peacefully but he resisted and fired his firearm instead to the police.

Faced with an armed and fighting suspect, police authorities was forced to fire back just to neutralize Balangitao, who was hit at the right portion of his body, as a result.

Recovered from the scene were a .45 caliber Colt pistol, two pieces of live ammunition, three empty shells of .45 caliber bullets, an improvised shotgun (pogakhang), a .22-caliber rifle and three leather holsters.

Cañete said the CHR probe on the alleged extra-judicial killing would be carefully determined in corroboration with the findings of the autopsy.

“I started talking with the witness of the respondents. The bottom line of this is to look if there was human rights violation and, if there is any, then it will be considered extra-judicial killing,” Cañete said.

“We will be conducting deeper investigation so that we can provide justice and considered those who are liable to pay,” he added.