Valencia top cop’s dismissal sought

Gun-planting video

MANILA, Philippines — The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has recommended the dismissal of the police chief of Valencia in Bukidnon in connection with a video that went viral showing a policeman putting a gun beside a slain drug suspect.

IAS inspector general Alfegar Triambulo said yesterday Lt. Col. Cipriano Bazar Jr. and six members of the city police drug enforcement unit committed a grave offense based on their investigation into the death of suspected drug dealer Pol Estanol in Barangay Batangan on Feb. 20.

Estanol was killed in an alleged shootout with law enforcers in a drug bust.

Six of Bazar’s men – Lt. Almer Ocariza, S/Sgts. Albert Rey Carnawa and Gary Dorado and Cpls. Jovanni Jo, Jonathan Pugales and Joseph Segovia – were relieved from their posts in March over the incident.

The policeman who was shown “planting” the gun, Cpl. Benzoin Gonzales, died in a vehicular accident on Feb. 28.

Triambulo said Bazar was aware that his men planted evidence to make it appear that Estanol fought back.

“Sinabi niya sa kanyang counter-affidavit na aware siya na na-tamper ang crime scene,” Triambulo said.

He said Bazar conspired in a coverup instead of dismissing and filing charges against the erring police officers.

“Aware siya na may ganun na pinapaputok ang baril pero i-napprove pa rin niya ang investigation report,” he said.

Gonzales was shown in the video firing a gun three times before putting it beside the body of Estanol.

Triambulo said Bazar also instructed his men to visit the person who uploaded the viral video to delete it.

PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas had earlier ordered an investigation into the incident.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra admitted before the United Nations Human Rights Council in February that the police failed to follow standard protocol in its anti-drug operations, where there had been deaths.