The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday the chief of the police officer who was caught on the alleged gun-planting video should explain the incident.
“He (policeman on video) could have been made to explain his side. The chief of police will just have to explain on what grounds did the policeman operate that caused the death of the alleged drug suspect,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana said.
The gun-planting video showed a civilian cop firing a handgun three times and then placing it next to an alleged drug suspect who was killed in a buy-bust operation in Valencia City, Bukidnon.
GMA News “Saksi” reported on Monday that the operation took place on February 20 in Barangay Batangan.
The drug suspect was allegedly killed after fighting with authorities in a legitimate buy-bust operation, according to Police Regional Office 10.
The police added that the civilian cop was just irritated so he fired the gun.
Three rounds of .38 caliber ammunition were found at the crime scene.
But a few days after the incident, the cop seen in the video died due to an accident.
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Superior of cop in alleged gun-planting video should explain – Usana
In a report on GMA Regional TV “One Mindanao,” the said cop was identified as Police Cpl Benzon Gonzales.
While the slain alleged drug suspect was identified as Pol Estañol.
According to Police Captain Francisco Sabud, spokesperson of PRO-10, they will find out in the cybercrime division the “authenticity” of the video that is now spreading on social media.
He also assured that their office will not condone if anyone goes too far in the ongoing buy-bust operation.
The PNP spokesperson said if proven that the gun-planting is true, the PNP will not condone the action of the cop on the video. He insisted PNP values human rights and observes the rule of law.
“The PNP will never condone such act from that policeman,” he said. “We value human rights, we follow the rule of law, and we cannot allow any law enforcer to break the law he is expected to enforce.”