Soco tampering with evidence? Never in my wildest imagination, says Bato

Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, PNP chief, gives a the press briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, at the PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City. (Photo by NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)

Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), on Tuesday assured the families of the victims of the Dec. 28, 2017 Mandaluyong shooting that the PNP’s Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) would never manipulate the evidence they collect.

Even if no less than the PNP chief himself would order the SOCO to tamper with evidence, its operatives would refuse to do it.

“Never in my wildest, wildest imagination na gagawin ng ‘yan ng taga SOCO. Never, never. Magpaputol ako ng kuko kung gagawin nila ‘yan, dahil ang ethical standards ng SOCO napakataas,” Dela Rosa said in a press conference at Camp Crame.

Dela Rosa made this statement after the families decried the alleged manipulation of the paraffin test conducted by the Soco, which showed that Jonalyn Amba-an, one of the two fatalities in the shooting tested positive for gunpowder residue.

The police chief also explained that testing positive for gunpowder burns was not conclusive that the person fired a gun.

“Positive lang siya sa powder burn pero hindi conclusive na 100 percent nagpaputok siya ng baril,” he said.

Amba-an and laborer Jomar Hayawun died after Mandaluyong cops and village watchmen fired at a vehicle they were riding along Shaw Boulevard.

Ambaon’s live-in partner Eliseo Aluad and van driver Danilo Santiago also suffered several gunshot wounds. /atm