CPPO recommends probe for botched anti-drug raid

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Police Office has recommended a fact-finding investigation into the botched Moalboal anti-drug operation resulting in the deaths of two policemen more than a week ago. 

CPPO director Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac made the recommendation to the Police Regional Office-7 following reports that it was not a legitimate operation.

Cebu Provincial Board Member Christopher Baricuatro was earlier quoted in the media saying that, he heard information that the operation was not legitimate.

Baricuatro told reporters that somebody told him about it, although he admitted he still has to check on the information. 

Gillamac said that to clear all suspicions about the legitimacy of the operation as well as to find out the operational lapses, he has recommended to the regional headquarters to create a fact-finding committee.

 “I recommended to the Regional Director to organize a fact-finding committee in the regional level purposely para mahibaw-an nato if the operation was legal and ikaduha to look into the lapses if there is any sa pagpahigayon sa raid at that time,” Gillamac said.

Gillamac said he was saddened by the deaths of Police Officer 3 Fabio Fernandez and PO1 Alrasid Jimlani but he also wanted to find out the truth about the allegations.

Although, he admitted that his impression of the operation was that it was legitimate because the members of the Moalboal Police Station were armed with a search warrant during that time.

The policemen served the warrant against suspected drug den operator Michael Aquino in Barangay Tomonoy, Moalboal town on November 14 when the two policemen, who were part of the perimeter security were shot dead by still unidentified persons.

 “Actually if there is a search warrant we consider it a legal operation. For me the operation is legitimate no doubt about it,” he said.— (FREEMAN)