By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The wife of former Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office member, Police Superintendent Santiago Rapiz, recently denied claims regarding her late husband’s alleged links with illegal drugs.

During a press conference over the weekend, Michelle Rapiz called the operation conducted against her husband “highly questionable,” claiming, during the incident, the lights at the Andres Bonifacio College basketball court, where the slain police officer was playing and later killed, were turned off.

She also said those present were not allowed to leave the facility.

While police claimed Rapiz tried fleeing from the scene during a drug transaction, the wife believes the 25 grams of shabu recovered from her husband’s vehicle was planted.

She is calling for a congressional or senate inquiry into the matter, while their family’s legal adviser, Atty. Tranquilino Gale, called it “unbelievable” for a high-ranking cop to sell drugs.

Rapiz’ wife also claims her husband’s mobile phone and other items have not been returned by police and said messages on the phone would prove his innocence.

She believes the crime was motivated by the drug personalities her husband handled.

The law enforcement official’s remains were interred yesterday morning at Rose Lawns Cemetery in Barangay Bata. However, he was not given the traditional 21-gun salute and honor guard because, according to Bacolod City Police Office spokesperson, Police Chief Inspector Sherlock Gabana, Rapiz was killed by the Philippine National Police-Counter Intelligence Task Force (PNP-CITF) in a buy-bust operation.

He added, the family will likely be ineligible for benefits.

Last week, Rapiz was killed by members of the PNP-CITF and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency during a buy-bust operation, where the law enforcement official allegedly fought back after he found out he was transacting with an undercover cop.

Police recovered several sachets of suspected shabu, weighing around 25 grams; and a .45 caliber pistol./DGB, WDJ