CHR investigates slay of Cavite police escorts

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights is now conducting its own investigation regarding a shootout during the May 10 elections in Bacoor, that killed two aides of losing congressional bet Plaridel ‘Del’ Abaya of the second district of Cavite.

CHR-NCR investigator Bayani Arago said even with no formal complaint from the families and relatives of ex-police colonel Arnulfo Obillos and Navy Petty Officer 2 Juanito Paraiso, his group is now investigating the alleged Bacoor shootout based on what they described as “moto propio principles.”

Arago said the Abaya group is planning to file a formal complaint before the office of CHR Commissioner Leila de Lima. “We are now gathering evidence and all available reports, documents and photos from Task Force Bacoor, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 4A and the SOCO team,” Arago told The STAR. He said his group is now conducting ocular inspection on the crime scene including interviews with several witnesses before they submit the findings of their investigation to De Lima.

“The purpose of our investigation is to look if there are human rights violations during the incident,” he told The STAR. He said the Cavite police immediately filed charges against Abaya and his four men before the sala of the prosecutor’s office after the shootout, while the group of Abaya also filed criminal charges for murder, frustrated murder, incriminatory machinations, arbitrary detention, robbery, slight physical injuries and maltreatment of prisoners against 18 Bacoor policemen at the Department of Justice.