Task Force RCBC dared to show up at DoJ
By Tetch Torres
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:57:00 10/09/2008
Filed Under: Cabuyao Massacre
MANILA, Philippines -- A lawyer for the families of three slain men authorities tagged as suspects in a deadly bank robbery in May dared members of the police’s Task Force RCBC to appear before the Department of Justice (DoJ) if they are really not guilty of murdering the three.
Lawyer Harry Roque claimed the continued absence of members of the task force is a mark of guilt.
The task force was created after robbers struck the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBCB) branch in Cabuyao, Laguna and murdered 10 persons, mostly bank personnel.
During follow-up operations on May 22, police killed Vivencio D. Javier, Angelito Malabanan, and Rolando Lachica in what authorities said was a shootout in Barangay (village) Pagaspas, Tanauan City, Batangas.
However, relatives and associates of the three men accused the police of murdering them.
The DoJ panel investigating the charges had scheduled a clarificatory hearing on Thursday where the complainants -- Javier’s widow, Olivia, Malabanan’s father, Sylvio, and Servillano D. Javier, supervisor of Lachica -- were supposed to confront Task Force RCBC members.
Roque threatened to file an administrative case with the Ombudsman and ask the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to impose disciplinary action against the members of the task force.
"They are frustrating the [legal] process. They are withholding their identities. That is conduct unbecoming of a police officer. If they are innocent, they should appear and face the complainants," Roque said.
He said complaint against the task force members will again be filed if they snub the DoJ’s preliminary investigation on October 16.
Multiple murder charges have been filed against Superintendents Gilbert G. Sauro, Omega Jireh Fidel and Marcellano S. Villafranca; Colonel David Quimio; Police Senior Inspector Ricardo I. Dalamcia; Inspector Leovino U. Ricablanca;
Senior Police Officers 3 Segundo G. Binay and Narciso M. Aamante; Senior Police Officers 2 Rogelio L. Candelaria Jr. and Leo V. Morcilla; Senior Police Officers 1 Gaudencio C. Magsumbol, Angelito N. Dizon, Antonio V. Paombong Jr., Roberto B. Opena and Lauro O. Camitan;
Police Officers 3 Romeo A. Panaligan; Adi Madlangbayan, Fernan B. Hernandez, Renie M. Malveda, Alexander Kim D. Sobrepena, and Richard A. Pinili; Police Officers 2 Roberto A. Godoy, Edwalberto M. Villas, Leonardo L. Aquino, Lyndon B. Herrera, Jimmy R. Roncal, Kelvin Bernas, Reynaldo U. Siringan, Jeffrey Luis C. Franca and Gilbert M. Molino;
Police Officers 1 Camelo M. Casalme, Danilo V. Salvatierra Jr., Michael G. Rebato, Dexter M. Caudilla, Bren V. Sumadsad, Ryan L. Upao, Victoniano P. Sanil and Veniorito Lago.
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