PNP – IAS takes over probe on girl’s death in Rizal drug bust
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police – Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) has taken over the investigation on the death of a three-year-old girl in a drug buy-bust operation in Rodriguez, Rizal.
PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday said he ordered the IAS to take over the investigation to expedite the probe on the June 29 operation that led to the deaths of the child – Myca Ulpina, along with her father Renato, another suspect, and Sr. M/Sgt. Conrad Cabigao who was the undercover buyer.
READ: 3-year-old girl hit in drug buy-bust crossfire dies
“I have directed the IAS to take the lead already and expedite the conduct of the investigation,” he said in a press briefing.
The IAS can automatically conduct its own investigation on matters concerning police personnel without having to wait for instructions from the PNP chief, but Albayalde said he still gave his official directive to the unit on Monday.
Previously, it was the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of the Police Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon) that handled the investigation.
Albayalde said the PNP is still awaiting the result of the ballistic examination on the firearms of 20 police officers who have been relieved from their posts, to pinpoint which gun resulted in the death of the child.
He said the death of the minor, who succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head, was “really, very, very, unfortunate.”
Albayalde earlier said the PNP sees the need to review police procedures in conducting operations to avoid a repeat of the tragic incident in Rizal.
“We learn from the past. We should learn from our mistakes para hindi na namin maulit ‘yang pagkakamali na ‘yan,” he said.
READ: PNP sees need to review police procedures after kid’s death in crossfire
Police earlier said the father of the child might have used his daughter as a human shield during the encounter.
The mother of the child had denied the allegation. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)
