Balili buddies reassigned to mobile force

The two policemen who were with the late SPO1 Roderick Balili on the day he was accidentally shot were reassigned to the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-7 so they could be of “better use” and undergo moral recovery and refresher course.

Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) Director Debold Sinas said that the two cops were previously assigned at the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU) as they were held liable for the death of Balili.

“Didto kay sila naa man regular activities. Naa mi schedule nga moral recovery program, i-uban namo sila, para isahan lang ang traning kaysa magtambaytambay sila diha sa RPHAU nga wala sila training, maayo na lang ma-account sila,” Sinas said.

Sinas admitted that they have yet to file proper charges against the two policemen whose names were withheld by PRO-7 since the day Balili died.

Balili’s name was in the limelight after he was linked to the death of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Von Rian Tecson in Carcar City last August 8.

Balili was suspected as Tecson’s gunman after he was admitted in the hospital shortly after Tecson was ambushed.

Some witnesses said Tecson was able to fire back at his gunman but the latter was rescued by his companions.

PRO-7 officials have vehemently denied Balili’s involvement in Tecson’s death, saying what happened was purely “coincidental”.

Balili was reportedly conducting surveillance in Pinamungajan and was accidentally hit after the car they were on drove into a hump as the driver was handing over his firearm.

Balili sustained two gunshot wounds and was taken to a Cebu City hospital from a hospital in Naga City.

Balili died even after blood transfusions.

Since then, the PNP has been criticized by the public and by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña for allegedly “coddling hired killers and housing them in PC Hills.”

Sinas reiterated they will remain steadfast in the fight against all forms of criminality and illegal drugs.