CHR probe into suspect’s death set

CEBU, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights-7 will investigate an anti-drug operation that ended up with the suspect, Jimby Casas, dying at a hospital in Tuburan, Cebu.

CHR-7 Director Arvin Odron said the investigation will focus on whether or not Casas was not given medical attention at the district hospital, which led to his death, and whether or not the policemen that carried out the bust violated Casas’ human rights, considering they were the ones who shot him.

"We will look into the use by the police of their firearms resulting to the infliction of multiple gunshot wounds to the patient, as the use of firearms should be taken only as the last resort when the life of the police are put in imminent danger," Odron said.

The CHR decided to investigate after a video of Casas begging for help at the hospital went viral on social media.

Odron said, nevertheless, that the cops’ effort to bring Casas to the hospital will be taken into consideration during the investigation.

Provincial Police Director Manuel Abrugena said they welcome the CHR probe. He said it is standard operating procedure to bring subjects of operation to the nearest hospital when the subject’s life is in danger.

"We welcome the investigation to be conducted by CHR…it is the standard operating procedure of the police to bring anybody to the nearest hospital when one’s life is in danger and needs immediate medication. We value life and security of every individual," Abrugena said.

Supt. Ismael Gauna, the chief of the Tuburan Police, commended the initiative of the police to bring Casas to the hospital.

In an exclusive interview with Banat News, Tuburan Police officer-in-charge, SPO4 Samuel Cañete, said nurses at the hospital attended to Casas.

He suspects that the video that went viral was taken right before Casas was transferred to the hospital from the vehicle that brought him there.

"Giatiman na oy, bag-o pa gani na naabot,  giingnan na mi nga dalhon nila sa Vicente Sotto (He was attended to. Shortly after we arrived there, we were told that he had to be brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City)," Cañete said.

Cañete also said that it was Casas who opened fire first at the policeman who acted as poseur buyer.

"Gatuo gani ko nga napusilan gyud tong polis namo. Kaduha gud to siya nagpaboto (I actually thought my colleague was hit because Casas fired twice)," he said. — /JMO (FREEMAN)