LEGAZPI CITY – Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, the newly installed director of the Police Regional Office (PRO5), has called for a thorough investigation on the death of a suspect during a police operation in Buhi, Camarines Sur last Monday.
In a statement on Wednesday, Estomo assured the family of Froilan Oaferina III and the public that the police will thoroughly investigate the incident to ferret out the truth.
He said a probe will be conducted in response to allegations of the family that aside from the death of Oaferina, there were also money and valuables that went missing during the police operation.
Estomo stressed, however, that the operatives adhered to established protocols in the conduct of operations and only reacted defensively after Oaferina shot at them.
He reiterated that the Philippine National Police (PNP) upholds and respects human rights, even of those who are on the other side of the law.
“The death of Oaferina during the service of a search warrant against him is truly unfortunate. But it speaks volumes of the tragedy and pain that befalls those who engage in crime. Though we commiserate with the family, we cannot veer away from the truth no matter how hard and difficult it may be,” Estomo said.
Before the application for a search warrant, he said a series of investigations has been undertaken and completed to secure sufficient information that would support the report on the suspect's possession and control of unlicensed firearms.
The operating team which was composed of joint elements of the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines was about to serve a search warrant on Oaferina at his residence in Barangay Tambo when the suspect fired at them, prompting the lawmen to fire back. Oaferina sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
The warrant against the suspect was issued by Judge Ma. Clarissa Pacis-Trinidad of the Regional Trial Court Branch 36 in Iriga City for violation of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. (PNA)
