Mar seeks probe on killing of Ozamiz robbery group head and member

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas called for a probe on the death of two convicted robbers who were captured over the weekend but shot by their police escorts Monday evening. 

 

"Inatasan ko na ang (National Police Commission at Philippine National Police) na magsagawa ng masusing imbestigasyon tungkol sa insidente at bigyan ako kaagad ng report sa lalong madaling panahon upang papanagutin natin ang sinumang may kasalanan dito,” Roxas said in a statement.

 

The robbers Ricky Cadavero and Wilfredo Panogalinga Jr. were members of the Ozamiz robbery and holdup group, known for its criminal acts on malls, convenience stores and banks in Metro Manila.

 

Police officers were transporting Cadavero and Panogalinga back to Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna from Cavite, when the police convoy transporting them was ambushed by unidentified gunmen.

 

The convicted robbers tried to snatch the police envoy's weapons during the ambush, but they ended up being shot by police. The motorcycle-riding gunmen sped away.
 

A plea for protection
 

Cadavero, the alleged leader of the Ozamiz group, asked the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to secure them protection, a report on Kape at Balita said.

He also asked to talk to his mother.

 

 

Just hours before the ambush, the convicted robber said with his voice cracking: "Ang hinihingi ko lang po, huwag sana ako saktan. Gusto ko lang makausap mama ko."
 

"(Commission on) Human Rights, sana masundan ako palagi. Hindi naman ako tatakas. Susundan niyo lang po ako. Kasi hindi ko pa alam ano mangyayari (sa akin)," Cadavero added.

 

Panogalinga, meanwhile, said the police are not hurting them. 

 

CHR chief Etta Rosales said they have not received any requests for the protection of the convicted robbers.

 

"Hindi nakarating sa amin itong hinihingi ng robbery group... Wala namang communication diyan," Rosales said in GMA News' TV's "News to Go" on Tuesday.

 

 

Rosales said the robbers should have communicated with the CHR for a protection order.
 

"Ang maaaring magawa nila, mag-surrender sila, tiyakin nila na papasok ang CHR sakaling nag-surrender na sila para ligtas ang buhay nila para hindi sila basta-basta papatayin ng pulis," Rosales said.
 

Rosales said the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group should investigate if there was violation of human rights on the shooting of the two robbers.

 

She added that police may only shoot criminals for self-defense.

 

"Kapag na-captive mo na, kinakailangang igapos mo sila pero buhay mo silang aarestuhin, at huwag mo sila papatayin... May karapatan rin ang mga nahuhuli, gaano man kalaki ang ebidensya," Rosales said.

 

The Cavite police report of the incident said "the police escorts inside same vehicle shot Kambal and Kulot.. (to protect) themselves."

 

The Department of Justice has raised questions on the ambush, with Secretary Leila De Lima denying reports that the criminals were transferred to the Bureau of Corrections. —Marc Jayson Cayabyab/KG, GMA News