Over mistaken identity NBI recommends filing of case vs Carmen cops

CEBU, Philippines —  The National Bureau of Investigation-7 recommended to the Department of Justice the filing of charges against four police officers of Carmen Police Station and a male helper over the death of a man during a 'buy-bust operation' few months ago.

This after it found out that the death of Reymark Taou Quingco in Barangay Poblacion, Carmen was a case of mistaken identity.

The four police officers include the town’s chief of police as an accessory to the crime.

"Contrary to the police narrative, as clearly proved by the pieces of evidence, no buy-bust operation ever occurred and these police officers were never justified or had no reason to use unnecessary force or in treating Reymark Taoy Quingco with wanton violence," reads the NBI-7’s recommendation.

The 22-page document narrated that the closed-circuit television footage connects to the testimonies of six witnesses.

According to the police blotter, Quingco was killed during a shootout with law enforcers.

Police claimed Quingco, who they identified as Joseph Taoy, pulled out a caliber .38 firearm and shot the police.

Aside from the firearm, police allegedly recovered a sachet of illegal drugs and a P200 buy-bust money.

The NBI report said that on the night of July 17, Quingco was onboard his motorcycle to fetch his live-in partner from work, and went together to meet his friends.

After having a few drinks, the group separated ways.

On a separate event, the three operating officers and their helper were drinking in a convenience store of barangay Poblacion. When the couple passed by, the helper reportedly pointed at Quingco.

When the couple went to buy a burger in Poblacion before heading home, the three police officers confronted them.

The CCTV footage showed that two police officers frisked Quingco while the other talked to Quingco's partner to verify if he was Joseph Taoy, a drug personality of Carmen.

The document also specified that based on the CCTV, Quingco was wearing a gartered shorts, which impossible for him to tuck in a heavy object such as a gun.

A witness also stated that Quingco was beaten by the police officers while asking if he was the Joseph Taoy they were looking for.

During the scuffle, Quingco was able to free himself from the officers. Running half-naked and barefoot, he was then shot.

Another witness also saw that one of the police officers approached the sprawled body of Quingco and made him hold a gun, which they fired to make it appear he had fired a gun.

"Wala mi mahadlok sa ilaha kay wala man gyud mi nabuhat nga daotan.," Rachelle Quingco, Reymark's sister told THE FREEMAN.

"Mapasalamaton kaayo mi ug ang tibuok carmenanon sa nbi cevro og sa mayor kay maski sa gidugayon sa dagan sa imbestigasyon..wala mi nila pasagdi pangita sa hustisya.. manghinaot lang mi matagaan ug pagtagad sa tanang magbabalaod ug masilutan na ang angay silutan," she added.

Senior Supt. Manuel Javier Abrugena, director of Cebu Provincial Police Office, said they are supporting their police officers.

"That is the claim of the family. We are going to stand with our report that he is the subject of the operation," Abrugena said. — LPM (FREEMAN)