2 cops who brought Odicta couple to hospital disarmed

While probe into slay continues 

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-6 said two policemen who brought the slain couple Melvin, Sr. and Meriam Odicta to hospital have been disarmed.

This was intended to dispel whitewash in the investigation, said PRO-6 spokesman Superintendent Gilbert Gorero.

However, he refused to disclose the names of the two policemen, who were part of the team who first responded following the shooting incident early morning of August 29, 2016 at the Caticlan Jetty Port in Malay, Aklan.

“The firearms will be subjected to ballistic examination and the two policemen will undergo paraffin test,” Gorero said adding “this is in to clear the name of the PNP.”

The move was in apparent response to statements made by the Odicta camp that Melvin was still alive and only suffered non-threatening injuries when brought to the hospital.

Odicta family lawyer Gualberto Cataluña said he and another of their lawyers Raymond Fortun were to fetch the couple from the port. He said they were waiting at the jetty port’s gate when they heard gunshots.

Cataluña said he was even talking to Meriam over the phone during the attack, while Melvin managed to call the lawyer to say he had been hit in the leg.

Melvin was reportedly able to walk as he was assisted to the patrol car, and even managed to raise his wounded leg.

Cataluña added they tried to follow the police car carrying the Odictas to Kalibo Hospital but were surprised to learn the victims were brought to the Malay Hospital instead. “It was a shock after learning that the two, who were no longer handcuffed, were declared dead on arrival,” he said.

But earlier, Senior Superintendent John Mitchell Jamili, Aklan Police provincial director, said the couple were not handcuffed since they were not suspects of the shooting incident. “All and the gestures of the police were to save the lives of the couple if possible, by bringing them to the hospital,” he added.

Jamili added that the first responding team did not recognize the victims until they reached the hospital.

Meanwhile, a philstar.com report said the PNP yesterday conducted an on-site re-enactment of the death of the Odictas, Iloilo province’s alleged top drug peddlers.

Chief Superintendent Jose Gentiles, acting director of the PRO-6 and of Task Force Odicta led the re-enactment to investigate further the death of the Odicta couple who were shot dead shortly after they disembarked from a vessel at a port in Malay, Aklan on Monday.

Gentiles, along with Jamili, went to the crime scene to supervise the investigation at the Caticlan Jetty Port. The acting PRO-6 head believed the couple was killed as they have a list of names of drug personalities.

Gentiles asked the public to help them resolve the death of the couple who appeared before authorities to deny their involvement in the illegal drug trade in the region.

 “PRO-6 values the life of every individual and respect human rights and due process of law. We appeal to the public who has a direct knowledge of the incident to come out in the open and help our investigation so that justice will prevail,” Gentiles said. He also extended his sympathy to the family of the couple as he condemned the killing.

Melvin, also known as “Dragon,” was identified by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-6 as one of two top drug dealers operating mainly in the province of Iloilo.

President Rodrigo Duterte insisted that the victims were drug lords who ran out of luck. Authorities are also looking at the possibility of double-cross among members of drug syndicates. (FREEMAN)