2 cops tagged in Bukidnon men slays

An official of the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) yesterday, November 13, said two members of the Tagoloan town police and two other civilians were implicated to the killing of three young men from Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

PRO-Northern Mindanao spokesperson Superintendent Surki Serenas could not name the policemen and the civilians, adding the relatives of the victims only identified them by their surnames.

Serenas said the Malitbog, Bukidnon town police is still probing the killing after the dead bodies of Vincent Viemen, Clifford Abales and Don Remar Andales were found on a cliff in Sitio Bagong Silang, Sta. Ines, last November 6.

“The chief of police of Malitbog said 2 policemen and 2 other civilians were being implicated,” Serenas said.

“The chief of police of Malitbog had a meeting with the relatives last week but no case has been lodged yet. Accordingly, the relatives are considering to bring the case to the National Bureau of Investigation,” he added.

The victims’ relatives also mulled to seek help from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Relatives of the victims are convinced that some members of the Tagoloan police have a hand in the killing. They insisted that the three never returned home after being invited by the Tagoloan police for questioning.

Serenas said investigators did not mention if there are witnesses who could substantiate the claims of the victims’ families.

Serenas said the two policemen will be placed under restricted custody as soon as formal complaints are filed and evidence of guilt are strong.

“As of the moment it would be unfair to assume that they are responsible,”S erenas said.

Serenas has yet to receive information whether the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office (PPO) has recommended for the activation of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) which will focus on the case.

“Usually ang PPO and mag recommend sa activation sa SITG,” he added.