DILG orders PNP to intensify probe into killing of Aparri vice mayor

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. during a press conference at Camp Crame, Quezon City in this file photo taken on January 04, 2023. INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and the Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday said it has already instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify its investigation into the killing of the vice mayor of Aparri, Cagayan and five of his companions.

“Nakakalungkot at nakakagalit ang insidenteng ito.  Tila nagiging garapal na ang mga kriminal na ito at wala ng pag-aatubili sa pagsasagawa ng kanilang masamang gawain,” said Interior Sec. Benhur Abalos Jr. in a statement.

(This incident is sad and infuriating. It seems that these criminals are becoming brazen and have no hesitation in carrying out their evil deeds.)

“Hindi natin papayagang magpatuloy ang mga ganitong uri ng krimen at mamayani ang kasamaan,” he added.

(We cannot allow these types of crimes to continue and evil to prevail.)

According to Abalos, the Police Regional Office Special Investigation Task Force has already been tasked to investigate the incident and capture the unidentified gunmen who shot Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda and his five companions.

“Pinasisiyasat rin po namin ang mga ulat na sinasabing mga pulis o nakauniporme ng pulis ang mga suspek,” said Abalos.

(We are also investigating reports that the suspects are policemen or in police uniforms.)

Apart from the probe, Abalos said he also ordered the PNP to review the policies and processes in issuing firearms and be stricter in granting licenses to own firearms and permits to carry firearms outside of the residence.

He also ordered more frequent patrols on the streets to avoid similar crimes from occurring.

“Inuutos ko rin ang mahigpit na ipatupad ang mga polisiya sa iligal na pagbebenta at paggamit ng police uniforms. Walang dapat magbenta ng police uniforms kundi ang mga accredited suppliers lamang at walang dapat mag-uniporme ng pulis kundi pulis lamang,” said Abalos.

(I also order strict enforcement of policies on the illegal sale and use of police uniforms. No one should produce and sell police uniforms, but only accredited suppliers, and no one should wear police uniforms apart from them.)

Further, Abalos stressed the need for the PNP to be more diligent in conducting “Oplan Katok” or visiting homes to confiscate expired or unregistered weapons.

He then called on the public to report to the authorities if they had any information that would assist police in investigating the said murder.

It was on Sunday, when Alameda and his five companions were shot and killed by several unidentified gunmen in Sitio Kinacao in Barangay Baretbet, Aparri, Cagayan.

Initial investigations showed that the suspects were wearing police uniforms with masks and were using a white Mitsubishi Adventure with a red license plate number SFN 713, indicating that it was a government car.

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JPV