RIAS-6 Probes Barotac Cop’s Death, Relieves Police Chief

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) has launched a motu proprio investigation into the death of a police officer inside the Barotac Nuevo Municipal Police Station in Iloilo.

Major Rolando Araño, spokesperson for the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), said the RIAS-6 probe is standard protocol when a police officer dies within a police facility.

“RIAS can conduct a motu proprio investigation since the incident involved the death of an active police officer,” Araño said.

As part of the investigation, eight on-duty police officers present during the incident were subjected to a paraffin test, along with the victim.

“This is a normal procedure in conducting a thorough investigation to erase any speculation surrounding the death of our personnel,” he added.

Meanwhile, the IPPO leadership has administratively relieved Captain Cedrick Cruz, the Barotac Nuevo police chief, from his post.

Cruz was temporarily reassigned to the IPPO headquarters.

Lieutenant Johnny Bundac, the station’s deputy chief, has taken over in an acting capacity.

“We deemed that Captain Cruz should be administratively relieved to avoid any whitewash and to give way for the conduct of the investigation,” Araño said, clarifying that administrative relief is not a punitive action.

The IPPO has also formed a special investigation task group led by Lieutenant Colonel Remy Alabaren, deputy provincial director for operations.

The 36-year-old victim was found dead on the roof deck of the police station early morning of July 9.

He suffered a gunshot wound on the right side of his head.

A resident of Barangay Acuit, Barotac Nuevo, the officer was the chief of the station’s Finance Section.

According to reports, the duty team leader went to the roof deck at around 5:28 a.m. to retrieve his cap and found the victim lying on a bamboo bed with a visible head wound.

Blood was seen splattered on the floor.

A caliber .9mm Taurus TS9 pistol (serial number TLT88710), a PNP-issued firearm, was found beside the victim.

A spent slug was also recovered about two meters from the body.

Araño earlier said that investigators are exploring all possible angles, including accidental firing or suicide.

The victim was believed to have died more than an hour earlier, as the blood on the floor had already dried.