WHY THE POLICE MUST INSIST THAT PO3 CALUMBA DID LEGITIMATE SNOOPING

1

IT WAS TRUE. The police officer, riding in tandem with a motorcycle driver, a police informant, indeed was tailing Tejero Councilor Jessielou Cadungog’s car. But his bodyguard-driver mistook it for a rubout attempt and fired first.

2

IT WAS NOT TRUE.The

real intent was to liquidate Cadungog. He had to be trailed as the would-be gunman would wait for the opportunity.

FLAWS in theory one:

[a] Cadungog’s background (councilor, ex-barangay captain, labor leader and Opascor vice chairman) plus the absence of previous talk or rumor of his link to illegal drugs makes him an unlikely drug trafficking suspect. [b] The tailing could’ve been more efficiently done with no back rider; instead two or more motorbikes could’ve been used. The back-riding raises suspicion of a “kill” operation.

But strong, solid evidence of Cadungog’s alleged illegal acts would justify surveillance but not any extrajudicial killing.

HANDICAPS in theory two: [a] Presumption of regularity of police work and their control over witnesses and articles of evidence give them the edge. [b] The “general belief” that the machinery of government, particularly law enforcement, is committed to lean towards the police and against the suspects. Though not put into writing, that policy is talked about by high officials, including the president, repeatedly enough to fuel impunity among police officials involved in “black ops.”

What can beat the handicaps is the increasing public suspicion that the spate of killings going on all over the country is statesponsored: either in “legitimate” police operations or vigilante work financed or encouraged by the police. Public opinion might help check an unbridled state of lawlessness.