PNP to probe death of suspect in octogenarian couple’s slay

Carl Joseph Alarin Bañanola, the suspect in the killing of octogenarian couple in Quezon City, was arrested on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. (Photo by CONSUELO MARQUEZ / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday it will investigate the death of the suspect in the murder of an octogenarian couple while he was under the custody of officers from the Quezon City Police District Station 4.

Carl Joseph Alarin Bañanola was killed by the police Wednesday night, after he allegedly grabbed the firearm of an officer inside a police car. His death came only a day after his arrest on Tuesday.

READ: Suspect in killing of QC couple shot dead in police car

Banañola is the suspect in the murder of Nicolas Austria and his wife Leonora, whose bloodied bodies were found inside their residence in Barangay San Agustin, Novaliches on Sunday.

READ: Cops nab ex-delivery man tagged in octogenarian couple slay

In a statement, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Col. Bernard Banac said the investigation is part of the standard police procedures.

“Part of the procedures is for those cops on duty to undergo investigation and give account of the incident and to submit their firearms for ballistics examination,” he said.

Banac noted that any police intervention is always being done “with presumption of regularity following standard police operating procedures.”

“In this case, on custody of suspects and on self-defense,” he said.

“We assure the public that as a professional organization, the PNP always accords suspects under custody with proper protection and utmost respect for human rights,” said Banac. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)