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Calabarzon police chief sacked amid widening probe on Ozamiz gang deaths
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(Updated 9:01 p.m.) The chief of the Police Regional Office IV-A (Calabarzon) has been relieved of his command amid a widening investigation on the deaths of two recaptured fugitives at the hands of their police escorts in Laguna on Monday night.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas announced the relief of Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona at a press conference in Camp Crame on Wednesday.
Estipona became regional chief in January, replacing Chief Superintendent James Melad, who was himself relieved of his post following the Atimonan shootout where 13 people were killed by police and military personnel manning a checkpoint.
Roxas named Chief Superintendent Jesus Gatchalian as officer-in-charge of Region IV-A.
At the press conference, Roxas said the shooting of Ricky Cadavero, head of the notorious Ozamiz robbery group, and his henchman Wilfredo Panogalinga Jr. raised serious doubts among senior officials, prompting them to elevate the investigation to the directorate level of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
"Kahapon nagsimula ang investigation, natanggap ko ngayon reports from PRO-4A," he said. "Instead of giving clarification on the matter, the reports left a number of questions unanswered," he added.
Cadavero and Panogalinga, who had escaped from separate jails last year, were recaptured last Friday in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Three days later, on Monday evening, they were killed while they were being transported to Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna from Cavite, where they underwent inquest proceedings.
The incident occurred hours after Roxas announced earlier Monday that the two were being turned over to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
In Wednesday's press conference, Roxas said authorities have received reports that a powerful syndicate is out to "silence" Cadavero and Panogalinga.
"Intelligence reports na malaki itong syndicate nasa likod at ginusto nila patahimikin, i-silence sila Cadavero," he said.
Unanswered questions
Roxas said the investigation seeks to shed light on some "unanswered questions" raised surrounding the deaths of Cadavero and Panogalinga while in police custody.
He said some of the unanswered questions include why the inquest proceedings were done outside the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) considering that they were considered high-risk detainees, why there were only six police escorts, and why an ordinary vehicle was used in transporting the two men.
"These are the questions which we wanted answered," Roxas said. "Makakaasa ang publiko na pananagutin natin ang dapat managot, there will be no sacred cow."
The PNP is under the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Roxas named police director Catalino Cuy, currently PNP director for plans and head of the Special Action Force, to head the investigation. The probe body will take over the task from the Internal Affairs Service and the Crime Investigation and Detection Group.
In cahoots?
At an earlier briefing Wednesday, PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima said they would look into why the turnover of the two fugitives to BuCor did not push through.
The two were supposed to be turned over to BuCor, but their escorts insisted that they be brought to Cavite for inquest proceedings.
"Convicted na sila, so the agency that should have been in custody is the NBP. Kasama na sa ini-imbestigahan namin kung sumunod ba sila o hindi," he said.
A statement from the DILG said 13 policemen who served as escorts of Cadavero and Panogalinga as they were taken to Dasmarinas City for inquest were ordered relieved, including their immediate commander Superintendent Danilo Mendoza.
Purisima said they would also investigate the allegation made by Cadavero's family that several policemen were in cahoots with the Ozamiz gang.
The PNP chief said they would look into the statement made by Panogalinga in a recent "24 Oras" report that they were relying on Mendoza to look after them.
“There should be a reason bakit gusto nila kay Mendoza," he said.
In the "24 Oras" report, Panogalinga said, "Pinasasalamatan lang namin si Colonel Mendoza. mabait 'yun sa amin at saka 'yung mga tauhan niya."
According to the police version of the incident, the two were killed when they tried to grab their escorts' guns after two motorcycle-riding men ambushed the police convoy as it was passing through San Pedro, Laguna, along Magsaysay Highway.
The DILG chief said he has coordinated with Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny Barzaga and Congressman Elpidio Barzaga to secure the five other suspects identified with the Cadavero group, who are now detained at the city jail.
He said he will seek the transfer of the five to Camp Crame considering that the “two recaptured fugitives died in questionable circumstances.”
De Lima
A visibly irate Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who had already ordered an investigation on the incident, pointed out that the convoy took a longer route in taking the high-profile convicts from Cavite to Laguna.
De Lima also accused the police of making a false announcement to the media regarding the transfer of the two to the BuCor.
She also questioned why the two convicts were brought to Cavite for inquest proceedings when it can be done inside police camps, especially since the two were considered high-risk detainees.
Ozamiz robbery group
The Ozamiz group is linked to various mall and bank robberies in Metro Manila.
Believed to be the leader of notorious robbery group, Cadavero was convicted of robbery and frustrated murder by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. He also has a warrant of arrest for murder issued by the Cebu Regional Trial Court without bail, according to police reports.
Cadavero escaped from the New Bilibid Prison in December 8 last year, after three men disguised as his visitors whisked him out of the prison aboard a motorcycle.
Meanwhile, Panogalinga is a key suspect in the shooting and killing of a foreigner during the September 2012 robbery of a 7-11 convenience store in Malate, Manila, police said.
He is also responsible for the killing of a security guard in another 7-11 store last December 2012, police said.
Panogalinga escaped from the Ozamiz City Jail, where he was detained for illegal possession of firearms, in July 28 last year. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/KBK/RSJ, GMA News
Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas announced the relief of Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona at a press conference in Camp Crame on Wednesday.
Estipona became regional chief in January, replacing Chief Superintendent James Melad, who was himself relieved of his post following the Atimonan shootout where 13 people were killed by police and military personnel manning a checkpoint.
Roxas named Chief Superintendent Jesus Gatchalian as officer-in-charge of Region IV-A.
At the press conference, Roxas said the shooting of Ricky Cadavero, head of the notorious Ozamiz robbery group, and his henchman Wilfredo Panogalinga Jr. raised serious doubts among senior officials, prompting them to elevate the investigation to the directorate level of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
"Kahapon nagsimula ang investigation, natanggap ko ngayon reports from PRO-4A," he said. "Instead of giving clarification on the matter, the reports left a number of questions unanswered," he added.
Cadavero and Panogalinga, who had escaped from separate jails last year, were recaptured last Friday in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Three days later, on Monday evening, they were killed while they were being transported to Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna from Cavite, where they underwent inquest proceedings.
The incident occurred hours after Roxas announced earlier Monday that the two were being turned over to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
In Wednesday's press conference, Roxas said authorities have received reports that a powerful syndicate is out to "silence" Cadavero and Panogalinga.
"Intelligence reports na malaki itong syndicate nasa likod at ginusto nila patahimikin, i-silence sila Cadavero," he said.
Unanswered questions
Roxas said the investigation seeks to shed light on some "unanswered questions" raised surrounding the deaths of Cadavero and Panogalinga while in police custody.
He said some of the unanswered questions include why the inquest proceedings were done outside the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) considering that they were considered high-risk detainees, why there were only six police escorts, and why an ordinary vehicle was used in transporting the two men.
"These are the questions which we wanted answered," Roxas said. "Makakaasa ang publiko na pananagutin natin ang dapat managot, there will be no sacred cow."
The PNP is under the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Roxas named police director Catalino Cuy, currently PNP director for plans and head of the Special Action Force, to head the investigation. The probe body will take over the task from the Internal Affairs Service and the Crime Investigation and Detection Group.
In cahoots?
At an earlier briefing Wednesday, PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima said they would look into why the turnover of the two fugitives to BuCor did not push through.
The two were supposed to be turned over to BuCor, but their escorts insisted that they be brought to Cavite for inquest proceedings.
"Convicted na sila, so the agency that should have been in custody is the NBP. Kasama na sa ini-imbestigahan namin kung sumunod ba sila o hindi," he said.
A statement from the DILG said 13 policemen who served as escorts of Cadavero and Panogalinga as they were taken to Dasmarinas City for inquest were ordered relieved, including their immediate commander Superintendent Danilo Mendoza.
Purisima said they would also investigate the allegation made by Cadavero's family that several policemen were in cahoots with the Ozamiz gang.
The PNP chief said they would look into the statement made by Panogalinga in a recent "24 Oras" report that they were relying on Mendoza to look after them.
“There should be a reason bakit gusto nila kay Mendoza," he said.
In the "24 Oras" report, Panogalinga said, "Pinasasalamatan lang namin si Colonel Mendoza. mabait 'yun sa amin at saka 'yung mga tauhan niya."
According to the police version of the incident, the two were killed when they tried to grab their escorts' guns after two motorcycle-riding men ambushed the police convoy as it was passing through San Pedro, Laguna, along Magsaysay Highway.
The DILG chief said he has coordinated with Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny Barzaga and Congressman Elpidio Barzaga to secure the five other suspects identified with the Cadavero group, who are now detained at the city jail.
He said he will seek the transfer of the five to Camp Crame considering that the “two recaptured fugitives died in questionable circumstances.”
De Lima
A visibly irate Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who had already ordered an investigation on the incident, pointed out that the convoy took a longer route in taking the high-profile convicts from Cavite to Laguna.
De Lima also accused the police of making a false announcement to the media regarding the transfer of the two to the BuCor.
She also questioned why the two convicts were brought to Cavite for inquest proceedings when it can be done inside police camps, especially since the two were considered high-risk detainees.
Ozamiz robbery group
The Ozamiz group is linked to various mall and bank robberies in Metro Manila.
Believed to be the leader of notorious robbery group, Cadavero was convicted of robbery and frustrated murder by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. He also has a warrant of arrest for murder issued by the Cebu Regional Trial Court without bail, according to police reports.
Cadavero escaped from the New Bilibid Prison in December 8 last year, after three men disguised as his visitors whisked him out of the prison aboard a motorcycle.
Meanwhile, Panogalinga is a key suspect in the shooting and killing of a foreigner during the September 2012 robbery of a 7-11 convenience store in Malate, Manila, police said.
He is also responsible for the killing of a security guard in another 7-11 store last December 2012, police said.
Panogalinga escaped from the Ozamiz City Jail, where he was detained for illegal possession of firearms, in July 28 last year. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/KBK/RSJ, GMA News
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