RIAS-6 exonerates 14 CIDG cops in deadly Tapaz raids

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The PNP Regional Internal Affairs Service 6 (RIAS-6) absolved all 14 members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of administrative liabilities in the deadly Rizal Day 2020 raids in Tapaz, Capiz.

The reason?

Nobody from the aggrieved parties and family members of the slain subjects of operations submitted evidence or appeared during the conduct of summary hearing proceedings, RIAS-6 regional director Colonel Roger James Brillantes said.

“We have exerted efforts to reach out to them, but we got no feedback,” he said.

Brillantes said the Provincial IAS-Capiz, through its chief Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Margarejo, went to the area where the encounters happened.

They also asked help from village officials in reaching out the family of the nine persons killed during the raid on December 30, 2020.

“We also sent out formal invitation for them to appear during the summary hearing proceedings,” he said.

Given that they have done their part in reaching out to the parties involved, “I don’t think they could accuse the IAS of whitewash. We have explored all possible avenues to reach to them,” Brillantes said.

RIAS-6 began the probe and trial in March 2021 to determine the administrative culpability of police personnel involved in the raids.

RIAS-6 then said it found probable cause in filing charges against 14 CIDG personnel after perusing through the after-operation report submitted to their office.

The 14 CIDG officers were Lieutenant Colonel Reyson Mallannao Bagain, Major Dave Anthony Ruba Capurcos, Captain Michael Nathaniel Paas Visco, Executive Master Sergeant Juan Fernando; and Staff Sergeants Ferdinand Danao and Glicerio Encela. They are members of the CIDG-National Capital Region.

The other respondents were Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Tan Nandu Jr., Major Charlie Inikpal Mang-osan; Major Warren Damogo Dilem, Lieutenant Melchor Frias Muñoz, Lieutenant Emmanuel Masangkay Rabe, and Lieutenant Elbert Marasigan Santos, all from CIDG-CALABARZON or Region IV-A.

Completing the list are Executive Master Sergeant Melgin Bulandres and Senior Master Sergeant Dax Bayutas of the CIDG-Drug Enforcement Group based in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

The pre-charge investigators said they found probable cause for grave misconduct and grave irregularity in the performance of duty against the 14 officers.

“Hence, in the absence of substantial evidence to prove the respondents’ liability, the presumption of regularity in the lawful performance of their duty prevails,” Brillantes said, citing their recommendation submitted to IAS Inspector General Atty. Alfegar Triambulo.

He added that RIAS-6’s reached the findings and recommendation after weighing and comprehensively scrutinizing the evidence and records.

“The summary hearing officer did not find substantial evidence to support the administrative offense for grave misconduct and grave irregularity in the performance of duty,” he said.

It was gathered that only 14 cops were investigated as they were the ones who stood as “actual entering party” during the raid, which means they were the only ones who actually raided the target area.

Local police forces only served as perimeter security and road security when the CIDG launched its massive crackdown against suspected rebels and their alleged supporters who allegedly owned unlicensed guns and explosive.

While the December 30 raids were conducted in Calinog, Iloilo (2 barangays) and Tapaz (7 barangays), the investigation focused in the Tapaz raids as nine persons were killed in the operations.

The encounter led to the death of Roy Giganto, Reynaldo Katipunan and Mario Aguirre of Barangay Lahug; Maurito Diaz, Sr. of Barangay Tacayan; Eliseo Gayas, Jr. of Barangay Aglinab; Artilito Katipunan of Barangay Acuña; Joemar Vidal of Barangay Daan Sur; and Garson Catamin and Rolando Diaz of Barangay Nayawan.

Their families had earlier asserted that the nine did not resist but were shot point blank.