CHR awaits affidavits of 4 witnesses

CHR 7 may seek protection for witnesses in the killing of suspected pusher Gener Rondina

FOUR people are willing to testify against police operatives in relation to an operation that resulted in the death of suspected drug pusher Gener Rondina.

Leo Villarino, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) 7 chief investigator, said the witnesses came forward during his meeting with retired policeman SPO4 Generoso Rondina, the victim’s father, last Monday afternoon.

While they were able to narrate what happened, the four witnesses have yet to make a sworn statement, which Villarino said they will submit after Rondina’s burial later this week.

He said the four wit- nesses denied allegations that Rondina fought back against operatives of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operation Task Group (RAIDSOTG) and Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG), prompting them to shoot him.

But Villarino said that despite the initial statements of the witnesses, they can’t conclude yet if the operatives are liable for Rondina’s death.

Protection

“It’s too early to conclude. We need to conduct a thorough investigation before we make any conclusion,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.

Villarino said they will also need to assess the statements of the witnesses to determine if there is a need to place them under the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

He said he hopes the witnesses will stand by their account of the incident so the case will move forward.

Rondina was killed when the police raided his house in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City last Friday.

The police conducted the operation against Rondina based on a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Wilfredo Navarro.

Aside from Rondina, the subjects of the warrant included his sister Jocelyn and her live-in partner Rewel Villanueva.

During the operation, Rondina allegedly tried to shoot at the police, who retaliated and shot him.

‘Violation’

But his father claimed the operatives violated police protocol during the raid and even planted the guns and drugs found in his son’s possession.

For his part, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Joel Doria said he supports the CHR’s decision to investigate the killing of Rondina, but he insisted that the operation was legitimate.

He said that as policemen, getting sued for performing their duties is inevitable.

“We’re open to any investigation because we’re not hiding anyting,” Doria said.

Rondina’s father and his live-in partner Angelica Arrioja went to the office of the CHR 7 last Monday to file a complaint against the police operatives.

In the event of an armed confrontation with a drug suspect, Doria said the policeman should always have an advantage.

“It’s either yung police natin yung madisgrasya or sila. But definitely mas gusto natin yung police ang safe kasi mahirap naman, ginagawa naman yung trabaho nila (It’s either our policemen or the suspected criminals will get hurt. But definitely, we want our policemen to be safe because they’re just doing their job),” Doria said.

The Police Station 3 under the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) provided back-up support to the raiding units.

“It’s clear what their participation was,” he said.

Doria stood firm on his earlier statement that the operation against Rondina didn’t violate the law.

“For sure we will support the policemen because that’s a police operation,” he said.