Cops welcome probe into ‘dubious’ Tejero drug bust
Police will welcome any investigation into Friday’s buy-bust operation in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City that claimed the life of an alleged drug suspect who happened to be a son of a retired judge.
“Willing ta modawat og investigation coming from other agency, walay problema ana,” said Senior Superintendent Artemio Ricabo, deputy director for administration at the Cebu City Police Office.
Based on the initial police report that time, a certain “Boy” was shot by operatives from Parian Police Station allegedly resisting arrest and trying to shoot it out with them.
The report said the suspect sensed he was transacting to a police poseur-buyer and tried to escape. As he did so, he allegedly pulled the trigger of his .38 caliber, aiming at the policeman, but he misfired twice, prompting the cop to shoot him in the back.
Further investigation on Saturday revealed that the slain suspect was Gerwin Versoza Wilhoit, a resident of Barangay Centro, Mandaue City and son of retired judge Gerardo Gestopa Jr.
Wilhoit, however, was adopted by his aunt who is based in the US.
At the wake of his son on Monday, Gestopa slammed reports that police were there for a buy-bust operation, saying no operation happened as per statements from residents.
Gestopa went on to say that his son was just picked up in the area by a van, allegedly tortured, and made to escape, only to be shot.
He said his son used drugs but never went into selling. Police said Wilhoit yielded one small pack of suspected shabu and a caliber .38 pistol.
Gestopa said they have plans to seek help from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
But Ricabo defended the statement of Parian police that the operation was legitimate and that it was a planned operation in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
“Well-coordinated to. Lahi man ang well-coordinated kay naay coordination sa PDEA unya lahi pud to ang response lang nga naa man gyuy uban nga makadawat lang og info nga biglaan madakpan. Kadto with coordination sa PDEA, planned operation walang problema ang side sa Station 1 (Parian police),” Ricabo said.
On claims that Wilhoit was tortured prior to being shot, as evidenced by some bruises on his knees and face, Ricabo said the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) can determine the real cause of the bruises.
Chief Inspector Kenneth Paul Albotra, chief of Parian police, said Wilhoit sustained the bruises after tripping while attempting to escape.
Gestopa did not believe this based on the huge bruises his son got.
Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, director of Police Regional Office-7, said they are not stopping the family’s plans from pursuing legal remedy.
“If mag-file siya, go ahead. It’s always his right. Dili man namo siya pugngan but if he will be discussing with us, we are very willing to discuss it,” said Sinas.