CHR: Probe on Biñan 'clash' not meant to condemn police ops

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday clarified that the investigation on the alleged shootout between policemen and suspected kidnappers in Biñan, Laguna is not meant to condemn the police force but to settle the question of whether there was an irregularity in the operations.

In an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia also lauded police authorities for the successful rescue of the kidnap victim who is an Indian national.

"Gusto kong bigyan ng linaw na sa isang banda po, maganda po 'yung isinagawang operasyon dahil nagresulta po ito sa pagkakasagip ng biktima ng kidnapping. So job well done dahil na-rescue natin ang isang biktima," De Guia said.

"Dahil lamang po may katanungan at may namatay kaya po kinakailangan magsagawa ng imbestigasyon hindi po para agad magkondena or gumawa ng konklusyon na may iregularidad kaya lang para lamang ma-settle 'yung katanungan ng maraming tao na meron nga po bang iregularidad na nangyari doon sa operasyon na 'yon," she added.

This came in after Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Thursday said he is standing by the regularity of the police operation in Biñan, Laguna on Wednesday where three suspected kidnappers were killed.

"Whether or not 'yung sinasabi mo ay totoo na may indications na pinatay sila, then that remains to be seen. As of yet, I believe in the regularity of the performance of duty of my personnel," Dela Rosa said in a press conference in Ozamiz City.

The CHR on Thursday started its investigation of the alleged shootout. De Guia said that their Regional Office-4 has already assigned investigators who will look into the case.

A CCTV footage of the incident showing two of the suspects dropping to the ground after they got out of a vehicle that was surrounded by armed men in civilian clothes has raised suspicion about the shootout claim.

However, PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group chief Senior Superintendent Glenn Dumlao has said that the CCTV cameras only caught the aftermath of the firefight. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG/KVD, GMA News