Top cop calls for probe into activists’ slay

Philippine National Police Chief Guillermo Eleazar on Wednesday  ordered an investigation into a shooting incident involving Albay policemen and two activists who were  accused of spray-painting protest slogans.

The group “Defend Bicol “ claimed the activists, identified as Jemar Palero, 22, and Marlon Naperi, 38, were shot dead by elements of the Albay Police on Monday morning in Barangay Lower Binogsacan in Guinobatan.

However, the official police report stated that the activists were armed and that they fired on the cops, prompting the latter to retaliate.

Eleazar appealed to the public to let the investigation take its course before  any conclusions on the incident were made.

Eleazar  said he ordered Bicol Police Director, Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo to put the policemen involved in the incident under restrictive  custody pending the result of the probe.

Senator  Leila de Lima also on Wednesday called  for an urgent and impartial investigation into  this latest case of  killing in the Bicol region.