Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) director, Brigadier General Jack Wanky directed the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) to enhance the conduct of its investigation into the recent series of killings by alleged New People’s Army (NPA) in the province.
Wanky, during his visit to NOCPPO headquarters in Bacolod City yesterday, said the provincial police should consider another angle into the killings.
“Look for other angles and do not easily jump into conclusions,” Wanky said.
“This might just be their propaganda to show that they’re still relevant, that they could still retaliate and do atrocities despite the series of military operations against them,” he added.
Wanky said the investigation will push through, as he urged the NOCPPO to investigate the killings thoroughly.
Earlier this week, the NOCPPO condemned the killings of eight individuals by alleged NPA members over speculations that they were military agents.
NOCPPO chief Colonel Rainerio de Chavez said he ordered a separate investigation into the murder.
De Chavez said the provincial police will immediately file appropriate charges against the perpetrators, once they have identified them.
“We will not rest until we find out who are behind the killings, and bring justice to the death of their loved ones,” he said.
NOCPPO spokesperson Police Captain Judesses Catalogo said they will work closely with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Negros Occidental to ensure that the investigation is fair and impartial.
Catalogo said they are conducting a separate investigation into the series of killings, which will be based on evidence, and not just on the “mere claims” as they follow a criminal procedure.
The CHR-Negros Occidental has launched a motu proprio investigation into the series of killings in the province.
“This is to ensure that the families of the victims of these killings are given justice,” CHR-Negros Occidental head Vincent Parra said.
He said the CHR assures that “the state is doing its obligation to file necessary charges against the suspects in the court.”/WDJ