Dick scolds Bato over slain OFW last seen in police custody

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Richard "Dick" Gordon lectured Philippine National Police Director Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa over the perceived slow police response to the killing of an overseas Filipino worker in Tanza, Cavite.

Four police officers in Cavite have been relieved from their duty at the Tanza Police Station and have been reassigned to the provincial headquarters following the death of Mark Anthony Culata, who was last seen in police custody.

READ: 4 cops sacked over OFW’s slay

During the resumption of the Senate inquiry into extrajudicial killings of drug suspects, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV showed television reports of the incident as proof of a possible extrajudicial killing in Cavite.

CCTV footage showed that PO2s Yves Luyun Emerson de Ocampo and PO1s Edgardo Fontanilla and Hernan Romanes took custody of Culata, whose body was later found with gunshot wounds last week.

Gordon lamented that the evidence against the four police officers was strong but criminal charges have yet to be filed against them.

"This is where the people get very alarmed... Obviously, dapat nakakulong na 'yang mga pulis na 'yan for murder. Robbery with homicide 'yan, unbailable 'yan," Gordon said.

PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management acting director Chief Superintendent Augusto Marquez Jr. noted that only administrative cases were filed against the four officers.

Gordon told the PNP that they should have filed cases against their personnel over Culata's death.

"You're on the carpet here because may complainant. May video, dapat naka-file na 'yung kaso, dapat kulong na 'yan," Gordon stressed.

Dela Rosa said that the PNP is taking charge of the administrative case while the National Bureau of Investigation is handling the criminal case.

The PNP chief also admitted that he was not aware of the case until Trillanes presented the report before the Senate panel.

"Honestly, your honor, kung hindi 'yan ipinresent ni Senator Trillanes, hindi ko malalaman 'yan... Had I known that, I am sure hindi ko papabayaan 'yan, your honor. Hindi ko po alam," Dela Rosa said.

"Ang appeal ko lang is dapat mabilis. That was a victim of crime, ang tagal-tagal gumalaw ng gobyerno," Gordon told Dela Rosa.

Police are also considering drugs or a love triangle as possible motives of the killing. PO1s Romanes' girlfriend is reportedly the victim's ex.

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