The Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service will lead the investigation into the “collateral damage” incurred in an anti-drug operation in Rodriguez, Rizal, that resulted in the death of four people”•including a three-year-old girl.
“I have directed the IAS to take the lead and expedite the conduct of the investigation because it was the Regional Investigation Division of Region 4A leading the investigation,” PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde told reporters on Tuesday.
He said the move would expedite the conduct of the probe amid the public uproar over the incident.
Albayalde said they were now waiting for the results of the ballistics examination on all the firearms of the policemen to determine which among them was fired and eventually hit the child.
The IAS is generally tasked to run after erring policemen and investigate lapses and the commission of irregularities by policemen in the conduct of their duties.
The PNP earlier welcomed the Commission on Human Rights’ call for a full investigation of the incident.
PNP spokesman Bernard Banac said such investigation would help them determine all circumstances surrounding “that fateful encounter that claimed four human lives.”
“That is precisely the reason why all police operatives who were involved in that operation had been placed on administrative relief to preclude undue influence in the inquiry,” Banac told reporters.
“From Day 1 of this national campaign against illegal drugs, the government has declared war versus drug syndicates and all those involved in the illegal drug trade.”
Last June 29, three-year-old Myka Ulpina was caught in the crossfire during police operations against suspected drug pushers in Rodriguez, Rizal.
Ulpina was among the four fatalities during the operations, along with Senior M/Sgt. Conrad Cabigao, the girl’s father Renato Ulpina and an unidentified companion.
Meanwhile, Col. Resty Damaso, chief of police of Rodriguez, Rizal, and 19 other policemen were relieved from their posts following the operation.
The 20 policemen have been placed under the personnel and holding unit of the Rizal Provincial Police Office while the investigation is ongoing.