Police Regional Office-5 headquarters in Legazpi City, Albay (PNA file photo)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol through the Albay Provincial Police Office (APPO) has created a special investigation task group (SITG) to probe the killing of a barangay official in Libon town on Monday.
In an interview on Wednesday, Capt. Kharren Formales, APPO spokesperson, said "SITG Repato" was created to dig deeper into the shooting to death of San Jose Barangay Captain Alex Enriquez Repato after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC).
"Two meetings were convened today by the SITG Repato, in Albay PPO from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the regional office. The case investigation is ongoing," Formales said.
She said that closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the incident is now being included in the investigation.
"Base po sa CCTV footage na nakita, dalawa pong tao ang nakita na nakasakay sa motorsiklo na tumutogma doon sa stament ng witness na kasama ni barangay Captain Repato bago po yong insidente (Based on the CCTV footage, two persons were seen riding a motorcycle which matches the testimony of the witness who was with barangay Captain Repato before the incident)," Formales said.
She said a continuous probe is being conducted to establish the identity of the suspects.
"Naghahanap pa din tayo ng mga possible witnesses na makakapagturo kung sino yong mga tao na yon. Hindi din natin nililimit na baka hindi lang yong dalawa taong yong ang nasa likod ng pamamaril kay barangay Captain Repato (We are still looking for possible witnesses who can point out who those people are. We are not ruling out that those two people may not be the only ones behind the shooting of barangay Captain Repato)," Formales said.
She said the creation of SITG Repato was in line with the directive of Police Regional Office-5 (Bicol) director Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obinque to conduct a thorough probe into the incident and to relentlessly pursue the perpetrators.
"The SITG Repato is under the supervision of the deputy regional director for operation (DRDO) Col. Jesus A. Rebua and the lead and chairman is our provincial director Col. Fernando Cunanan Jr.," she said.
Formales said Albay PPO, PRO-5, and other units are helping in the investigation by pursuing leads and gathering testimonies from possible witnesses who might shed light on the killing.
"PNP-PRO5 strongly condemns the heinous incident. The attack against an innocent individual who only wants to serve the public is unacceptable and despicable. Through the coordination of the relevant agencies and the dedication of the partners in the law, it is expected that the circumstances will be clarified and justice will be achieved for the victims of this violence," PRO-5 said in a statement. (PNA)
