Three CIDG cops probed over Bocala operation

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Three members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 6 (CIDG-6) are subjects of pre-charge investigation following their participation in a fatal operation against alleged rebels a week ago.

Following the incident, the Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS)-Iloilo, under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Manny Manuel, opened the motu-proprio (by its own initiative) investigation.

“The investigator-on-case found prima facie evidence against three operating elements of the CIDG-6,” a report of the Regional Internal Affairs Service 6 (RIAS-6) stated.

The report was addressed to Atty. Alfegar Triambulo, IAS Inspector General, and dated June 2, 2021.

Colonel Roger James Brillantes, PNP RIAS-6 chief, identified the three personnel under investigation as Lieutenant Colonel Marvin Pedere, Staff Sergeant Joevil Chavez, and Corporal Japhet Chavez.

They were part of the team that served an arrest warrant against Reynaldo Bocala at his rented home at Block 71, Lot 49, Village 3 of Providence Subdivision at Barangay Balabag, Pavia, Iloilo on May 28.

Bocala, 74, and his aide, Welly Epago, 61, were killed after they allegedly resisted joint police and military troops who were about to arrest them.

Bocala, who carried a P4.8-million bounty for his arrest, was the alleged head of the New People’s Army (NPA)’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P)’s Regional Taxation Implementing Group (RTIG)/Finance Officer.

He was also one of the consultants of the National Democratic Front (NDF).

Bocala used to be the deputy secretary and secretary of the Southern Front Committee (SFC), Panay Regional Party Committee (PRPC); former head and secretary of the Regional Operational Department, PRPC.

Brillantes explained that the pre-charge investigation will determine if the use or discharge of firearm by the officers was “in the actual performance of duty or personal in nature.”

It’s just a routine investigation, he added.

The respondents will be subjected to pre-charge investigation for grave misconduct and grave irregularity in the performance of duty under National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Memorandum Circular No. 2016-002.

“Accordingly, probable cause exist against the entering arresting officer team composed of Police Lt. Col Pedere, et al that would warrant the conduct of further summary hearing to give them the venue to prove their respective versions, claims, allegations and contentions during the proceedings of motu proprio investigation,” Brillantes said in a text message.

The three CIDG personnel received the notice to file counter affidavit on June 3. They have until June 8 to submit their counter affidavit.

The RIAS is expected to submit the draft of its pre-charge investigation report on June 9.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said its welcomes any investigation relative to the death of Bocala.

In a statement, PNP chief General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said that “it is within the rights of Bocala’s relatives and colleagues to seek an independent investigation.”

Rights group Karapatan has called for an independent probe on the incident, claiming that Bocala should still be under the protection of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).

However, “with the termination of peace negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF, this JASIG can no longer be invoked. This guarantee of immunity from arrest is an act of good faith and confidence-building measure in the peace negotiations between the government and the CPP/NPA/NDF,” Eleazar said.

He added, “kasama nga dito iyong pagpapalaya sa mga dating nakakulong na NDF negotiators at consultants na ngayon ay nagsipagtago na matapos kanselahin ng Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte ang peace talks pati na ang JASIG.”

The President shelved the peace talks and terminated the JASIG in February 2017.

CIDG-6, the police unit that led the operation, earlier said that Epago, Bocala’s companion who was also killed during the shootout, fired a gun at a police operative.

“Tumama yung bala sa tyan n’ya sana. Buti na lang naka-bullet proof vest siya,” Colonel Gervacio Balmaceda, CIDG-6 regional director, said.

Balmaceda insisted that they planned to arrest Bocala and his companion.

“But given na lumaban sila, we have no choice but to defend ourselves,” he said.