Policemen linked to child’s death undergo paraffin test

Four policemen involved in an anti-illegal drug operation that killed a four-year-old boy in Sito Bato, Barangay Ermita, Cebu City were subjected to a paraffin test yesterday.

Police Superintendent Ryan Devaras, Investigation Detection and Management Branch (IDMB) chief, said this would support the claims of Carbon police that they did not fire their guns during the operation.

“They underwent a paraffin test facilitated by the PNP Crime Laboratory as part of the investigation procedures,” he said.

The results of the test are expected to be released a week after next.

Devaras assured that it is not in their code to tamper or switch the results.

“Crime laboratory is an independent unit. It has integrity. Whatever the outcome of the test will be used in the investigation,” he said.

Senior Superintendent Royina Garma, Cebu City Police Office director, earlier said that the paraffin test may turn out positive if the cops involved have practiced firing following the operation.

Devaras said his office will look into it. The police officers' service firearms were also submitted to the crime laboratory for a ballistic examination.

Based on police reports, four responding officers from Carbon Police Station drug enforcement unit responded to a report about ongoing illegal drug activities in Sitio Bato.

They arrived at the house and reportedly spotted four men inside a room on the second floor; two of them were repacking shabu while two were having a sniffing session.

One of the officers barged inside the room and identified himself as a policeman but one of unidentified men inside twisted his arm and pushed him back.

A minor scuffle involving the other three policemen ensued and one of the suspects reportedly pulled out a firearm and shot at the officers, prompting cops to move away.

This created a chance for the four unidentified male to jump out of a window to the adjoining houses and sneak away to undisclosed directions. The men, however, reportedly left behind evidence that included several drug paraphernalia, two medium and 22 small packs of suspected shabu worth over P80,000.

But cops were surprised upon hearing that victim, Blader Skyler Abatayo, who was just studying inside his room, was hit by a stray bullet.

They said they stopped pursuing the four suspects and attended to the child, who was rushed to the hospital but did not make it alive.

IDMB is the unit handling the investigation into the child's death.

In a separate development, the victim's family sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas.

Celirina Abatayo, the boy's grandmother, asked NBI-7 to conduct a thorough investigation.

NBI-7 Assistant Regional Director Dominador Cimafranca said the office has directed the family to submit evidence, such as medical and police reports that would help solve the crime.

He said Carbon police will be invited for questioning.

He said they might also conduct a reenactment of the police operation.

Devares welcomed the move of the victim's family, adding that they will coordinate with the NBI.