Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa concludes the investigation of an election-related shooting in Cotabato city which resulted in the death of 3 persons and numerous injuries in October 2023. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — The barangay captain who was a witness in the fatal Cotabato city shootout in October 2023 recanted some of his accusations against Philippine National Police (PNP).
However, Captaing Bimbo Pasawiran questioned the result of the paraffin test of PNP.
These developments happened at the hearing of Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs on Wednesday.
Pasawiran, in a press conference last year, had claimed the police planted evidence and conducted a buy-bust operation against him and his other family members.
In today’s inquiry, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa asked: “These are very serious allegations you are imputing to the police, kung totoo ito (if these were true). Totoo itong sinasabi mo? (Are you telling the truth?)”
“Nagalit kayo dahil namatayan kayo? Can you please, for the record, clarify to this committee kung itong lahat nang pinagsasabi mo ay paninindigan mo or binabawi mo, or what?” the senator asked Pasawiran.
(You were mad because your relatives were killed? Can you please, for the record, clarify to this committee if you stand up for all you are saying or what?)
“Because this is the meat of our investigation,” he explained.
Pasawiran responded, “Yung nasabi ko po ay dala lang po ‘yun ng aming sama ng loob, Sir, sa dami po ng naririnig namin na bali-balita lang.”
(What I said was out of resentment, Sir, due to all the things I heard that were only half-news.)
“So, hindi ko po napigilan ‘yung sarili kong maglabas ng aking hinaing po, Sir,” he added.
(So, I was unable to stop myself from expressing my grievance.)
Two of Pasawiran’s relatives were killed in the event.
Among the suspects are a police officer, a candidate for village chairman, and 10 others.
Amid some withdrawal of some of his statements, Pasawiran, on the other hand, questioned the finding of police on the paraffin test wherein all of the twelve suspects tested negative.
Asked by Dela Rosa if he also recants his dispute on the paraffin test, Pasawiran said: “Hindi po. ‘Yung sa Paraffin test po is nagugulat po kami kasi nandoon po kami sa shooting incident… Kitang-kita po ‘yung pagbaril nila sa ’min.”
(No. In the paraffin test, we were shocked because we were there during the shooting incident… We clearly witnessed how they shot us.)
Pasawiran pointed out the village chairman, identified as Juhalidin Ladesla Abdul, and one of the suspects pointed and fired the gun at the victims.
Lieutenant Colonel Victor Trapete, chief of the scene of the crime operation (Soco) team of Bangsamoro Police, offered possible reasons.
“Even though the person fired a gun, it will give a negative result because of several factors,” Trapete said during the hearing.
He said the reasons include whether or not the suspects wore gloves, the wind velocity, the humidity, and even the gun’s position.
The 12 suspects have posted bail.
Aside from Abdul, also charged were Police Master Sergeant Pauti Mamalapat, Mishal Mamalapat, Dixie Garcia, Arman Mamalangkal, Ronda Bansuan, Jayson Bansuan, Surin Kamad, Daniel Paguital, Nordin Alay, Abedin Guinat and Buts Tepay.
The attack occurred while the victims were posting election materials in the village of Rosary Heights 12 in October 2023.
Killed were Nur Muktadin Butucan, Alffar Ayunan Pasawilan and Faizal Abas.
Butucan and Pasawilan were candidates for village council seats in the city while Abas was a supporter of Pasawilan.
Also injured were Saipol Sapalon and Fayed Daud.