PNP chief orders probe on controversial Molo buy-bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Even Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar wants to know the circumstances surrounding the controversial death of a 29-year-old man during a police anti-narcotics operation in Molo, Iloilo City last week.

In a press statement, the PNP said “Eleazar ordered a thorough investigation on a buy-bust operation in Iloilo City, which resulted in the death of a person who was claimed to be mistaken as a fleeing drug suspect, to determine if there were operational lapses.”

While it has been a protocol that the Internal Affairs Service will probe operations that would result in injuries and deaths, particularly of the subject of the operations, Eleazar said the allegation of “mistaken identity” will be included in the investigation.

Eleazar was referring to the death of Karl Daniel Bolante evening of June 29 in Molo, Iloilo City.

Bolante was not part of the illegal drugs operation conducted against suspected drug peddler John Dave Mendoza alias “Stone Cold,” 23, a resident of Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala 2, City Proper district.

But police operatives justified that Bolante obstructed the operations against his “friend” Mendoza.

The local police report stated that “Mendoza resisted arrest and ran towards a secluded area. But when he was cornered by the operatives, his cohort Karl Daniel Bolante acted to throw a hand grenade to the PNP personnel, prompting them to shoot him.”

But village officials and Bolante’s family have claimed that Bolante may have been mistaken as Mendoza’s cohort.

A CCTV footage was released showing Bolante walking with some friends when police operatives went past them.

The cops were apparently running after Mendoza.

His family also denied that Bolante was part of Mendoza’s dealings. They denied that Bolante was armed with a grenade and handgun.

Instead, they claimed that he was just holding on to a mobile phone. He was not wearing a shirt and was only wearing boxer’s shorts when the incident happened.

The family has forwarded a complaint to Eleazar through e-Sumbong.

The “e-Sumbong: Sumbong Mo, Aksyon Ko” system is an online complaint and monitoring system which allows citizens to submit reports, complaints, or concerns to the PNP via SMS hotlines, social media, email, or QR scanning method.

To send reports or complaints to PNP’s “e-Sumbong: Sumbong Mo, Aksyon Ko”, the public can contact the PNP through SMS (0919601752, 09178475757), social media accounts (facebook.com/OfficialPNPhotline), email (e-sumbong@pnp.gov.ph), and the web portal (https://e-sumbong.pnp.gov.ph).

Reports reaching Eleazar’s office indicated that police operatives mistakenly killed Bolante during the buy-bust operation after Mendoza escaped. The report also indicated that Bolante was mistaken for Mendoza.

Another report claimed that the Iloilo City Police Office conducted the buy-bust operation against both Bolante and Mendoza. Bolante was shot and killed after he allegedly acted to hurl a grenade at the policemen pursuing his cohort. Mendoza, it was claimed, was arrested.

Mendoza was identified as a street level individual who was previously arrested in a buy-bust operation in 2017.

He was released from jail on Nov. 25, 2020 after availing of the plea bargaining agreement.

Operatives seized two sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P6,000, the marked money amounting to P2,000, an M26 live hand grenade, and a revolver without serial number loaded with 5 ammunition.

“Dahil po sa may alegasyon na namang ganito, tayo ay nakikiusap muli sa mga nakakita at kamag-anak ng nasawi na tulungan tayo na mahanap ang katotohanan dito,” Eleazar said.

He also called on witnesses to come out in the name of truth and justice.

FULL COOPERATION

Captain Shella Mae Sangrines, the commanding officer of the operating personnel, said they would give their full cooperation to any unit that would investigate the operation.

“It was a legitimate police operation. We welcome and are submitting ourselves for investigation,” she said.

It was gathered that the PNP IAS is also investigating the case to determine operational lapses, if any.

On the other hand, the Molo Police Station is looking into events surrounding Bolante’s death.