‘File criminal, administrative raps vs cop in blast’

Police should file administrative as well as criminal charges against the sole surviving police officer responsible for bringing a mortar into an ironworks shop, in which it accidentally exploded and killed four people last week, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano said Monday.

“The last I heard is that administrative charges would be filed against PO1 Arnold Mayo, but I will insist that the police also include criminal charges,” she told reporters.

Cayetano had earlier said that the city government would not hesitate to take the lead in filing criminal charges against the police officers involved in the explosion.

“There were deaths here, many injuries and damage to properties. Those affected should receive justice for it,” she said.

The mayor has arranged for a meeting later this week with officials of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and asked the city council to discuss the incident.

Cayetano also said that the city government will launch a separate investigation into the bomb blast, apart from that conducted by the police.

The explosion, which happened at a busy residential street near Camp Bagong Diwa in Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, led to the deaths of two policemen from the Special Action Force who took the bomb to the shop for defusing.

Two other persons, the owner of the shop and a woman who was just passing by, were also killed.

Mayo and nine others were injured.

Apart from the bombing, Taguig was also hit by two shooting incidents last week: one involving a heartbroken lover who shot and injured his live-in partner and killed her partner’s mother and two brothers.

Another case involved two men who killed a Filipino who had just returned from Canada where he had a work contract.

The suspected killers were later shot dead by pursuing policemen.

Cayetano maintained that the incidents were isolated and that it was unfortunate that these happened in almost consecutive days of the week.

“These things that happened are challenges for any city. All cities experience these things. What is important is that we are determined to do something about it,” she said.

Asked about the local police’s performance, Cayetano said: “We have the assurance of the Philippine National Police that they will do their job.

My only wish is that they hasten the investigation into the matter.”

Sought for comment, Taguig Police Chief Senior Superintendent Tomas Apolinario said they are focusing on improving their crime-prevention campaigns.

Monitoring

“We are coordinating with the local administration to push programs to maximize the deployment of our police and to enlist the help of civilians in helping monitor crimes,” Apolinario said in a telephone interview.

As for the recent crimes, Apolinario said the investigations have been completed and the reports were already submitted to the NCRPO for approval.

“In connection with the bomb explosion incident, we are now only waiting for the victims and their families to file charges,” he added.