CHR team in Cebu City for autopsy of drug suspect’s body

CEBU CITY—A four man-team of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) forensic division from Manila arrived in Cebu City on Monday afternoon, to conduct an autopsy on the remains of John Jason Montes who, according to the police, was killed in a shootout on Banacon Island, Getafe town, Bohol, on May 28.

Before the autopsy started at 3:18 p.m., Victor Montes Jr., the father of John Jason, was interviewed by the forensic team to verify the victim’s medical history.

Based on John Jason’s death certificate, he died due to blood loss, cardiac arrest and multiple gunshot wounds.

Leo Villarino, CHR in Central Visayas investigator, said the autopsy would provide details on the specific cause of the victim’s death.

The CHR is conducting an investigation in response to the request of the Montes family who claimed that the victim was in Banacon to play basketball and not to work for suspected drug lord, Rowen Torrefiel Secretaria.

The police claimed that John Jason, 22, was killed with Secretaria and another alleged runner during a shootout that ensued when they raided the drug lord’s lair on the island.

But a 10-year-old witness said John Jason raised his hands in apparent surrender but was still shot by the police.

Victor said they wanted justice for their son’s death and insisted that John Jason was never involved in drugs. SFM