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Gordon wants PNP to fast-track probe into 'bloody Sunday' killings

By ERWIN COLCOL,GMA News

Senator Richard Gordon on Thursday called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to speed up its investigation into the series of raids in Calabarzon over the weekend that left nine activists killed and six others arrested.

During the hearing of the Senate justice panel on the spate of killings in the country, Gordon stressed the need to immediately come up with the results of the investigation so as to allay the doubts of the public on what transpired during the bloody encounter.

"Sasabihin ninyo ang daming baril, pero ang galing naman bumaril ng mga pulis natin, siyam ang patay, anim ang nahuli. Siyempre magkakaroon ng duda, that's almost challenging the intelligence of any Filipino," he said.

("You'll say they have weapons, but it seems that the police are good at shooting that nine were killed and six were arrested. Of course there will be doubts, that's almost challenging the intelligence of any Filipino.")

"Ang hinihingi lang siguro natin, in behalf of the people, e sana mabilisan yan (investigation)... Para lang hindi natin pinagduduhan ang pulis para masabi, okay naman ang imbestigasyon o mali ang imbestigasyon. I'm sure you'll come out with a very just investigation," he added.

("What we are requesting, on behalf of the people, is to speed up your investigation.... so that there will be no more doubts, to show that the police conducted a proper investigation or maybe not. I'm sure you'll come out with a very just investigation.")

Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro, director of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said that police personnel observed the rule of law and their operational procedures during the conduct of the raids in Calabarzon.

"Such activities that are being described by the different media outlets are operations against lawless elements. And based on the available remedy for us to apply for search warrant and the order of the court is properly served," he said.

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Ferro claimed that a total of 35 firearms, 13 explosives, and 250 ammunitions were recovered during the raids.

"So we believe that if we are not proactive, there might be a problem on the law and order in the different areas where those concerned were addressed properly by the police force," he said.

For his part, PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the investigation would push through even without media coverage on the incident.

He said that right after a police operation which resulted in encounters, appropriate investigation is conducted.

"Ngayon na nabanggit ninyo, at nandito naman 'yung mga concerned senior officers, nagsisimula na ang imbestigasyon. And as soon as magkaroon tayo ng linaw, it will be made available. 'Yun ay sa ganang PNP na nagsasagawa ng imbestigasyon," he said.

("Now that you've mentioned it, and the concerned officials are here, the investigation is already starting. And as soon as there is clarity, it will be made available. That's on the part of the PNP conducting the investigation.")

Senators Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima have earlier called for an investigation into the killing and arrest of activists in Calabarzon.—AOL, GMA News