CHR: There was intent to kill PO3 Quiamco

Based on the number of bullet holes in the car of slain Police Officer 3 Ryan Quiamco, there was indeed an intent to kill the policeman, Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-7 Director Arvin Ordon said.

Ordon, however, said they cannot conclude yet if the incident was an “overkill” during the police operation.

“For that purpose to neutralize, immobilize the suspect while the vehicle is moving, the suspect is moving, so far ang mga igo kay naa man sa vehicle. We cannot say nga overkill but with the number of bullets, intent to kill is presumed kay although I do not know unsa nga sakyanan but 40 bullets, coming from several police officers, strafing na na. Maka-presume ta nga there is an intent to kill. Pero ang kanang overkill, it's difficult to conclude,” said Ordon.

Quiamco was killed during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Mojon, Talisay City last August 15 together with his wife, who was a five-month pregnant.

He was allegedly one of the narco-cops included on the list of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The police said that Quiamco engaged them in a gunfight which forced them to neutralize him.

Quiamco's black Isuzu D-max sustained at least 41 entry bullet holes and seven exit bullet holes.

“It's a moving vehicle and then the law enforcement, they have the authority to pursue because there was an actual exchange of gunfire and they were not able to identify pila'y occupants,” said Ordon.

He added that they will be conducting an investigation regarding the case.

He said that they already sent subpoenas to personnel of the Regional Special Operations Group and also the Talisay police who investigated the case for a coordination regarding the case.

“This only shows nga there is partnership, naay common purpose ang CHR ug ang PNP para madetermine ug naa bay lapses or abuses on the part of the law enforcement,” Ordon said.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office 7 Director Jose Mario Espino said the operation against Quiamco was legitimate.

“We will just wait for the final investigation ng mga different bodies, but I'd like to say that the operation was conducted based on our police operational procedure,” said Espino.