PNP probes death of suspect in couple’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating the death at the hands of policemen of a man accused of killling an elderly couple in Quezon City.

PNP spokesman Col. Bernard Banac said yesterday four police officers were with Carl Joseph Bananola at the time he was killed during an alleged scuffle inside a police car Wednesday night.

“All of the police officers involved are under investigation,” he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Among the officials under investigation is Novaliches police station commander Lt. Col. Rossel Cejas, who admitted to shooting Bananola in the chest after the suspect allegedly grabbed the firearm of one of his escorts.

Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, identified the three other police officers as Staff Sgts. Alexander Icban and Alexander Banel and Pat. Garvil Mendi.

They also turned over their service firearms for ballistics examination.

Since there is no compelling evidence against the four police officers, Banac said there is no need for them to be relieved from their posts.

He said the incident is an isolated case and does not reflect how they handle suspected criminals in their custody.

“All our police interventions are conducted in compliance with our standard operating procedures,” Banac said.

Bananola was being transported back to Camp Karignal after he underwent inquest proceedings on charges of robbery with homicide and frustrated murder when the incident happened along Kalayaan Avenue.

He admitted to the crime of killing Nicolas Austria, 86, and his wife Leonara, 87. He also assaulted the couple’s housemaid, who survived and identified him, Eleazar said.

If there is proof of irregularity, Banac said the police officers could face criminal and administrative charges.   – With Non Alquitran, Romina Cabrera