Raid on slain ex-cop’s son a ‘legit’ operation

CEBU, Philippines - “It was a legitimate police operation.”

This was the statement of Police Regional Office-7 Director Noli Taliño on the anti-illegal drug operation conducted by Regional Special Operations Group, Regional Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group and Waterfront Police Station personnel that resulted to the death of the son of a former policeman in Carreta, Cebu City last Friday.

Retired police officer Generoso Rondina Sr. said Generoso Jr. had said he would seek the help of the Commission on Human Rights, convinced that unnecessary force was used on his son.

Taliño, though, said yesterday it is the right of Generoso’s family seek for help if they felt aggrieved and that they welcome any investigation into the incident.

“Welcome anumang investigation,” he said, adding that his men were very careful in dealing with high-value targets because they were considered as armed and dangerous.

Senior Superintendent Joel Doria, Cebu City Police Office director, too, said they are open to a CHR investigation on the implementation of the search warrant against Generoso for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

The younger Rondina allegedly showed aggression and opened fire at the police when showed the warrant, prompting the operatives to fire back. He was brought to a hospital after the shots had been fired but was declared dead on arrival.

During the operation, the policemen confiscated 17.2 grams of suspected shabu worth P204,222 and a .45 pistol from the younger Rondina.

Meanwhile, Taliño said 142 drug personalities were killed in legitimate police operations in Central Visayas and 204 were killed and whose death is being investigated starting last July 1. (FREEMAN)