Evidence 'unilaterally handled' by cops? It might look less credible -NAPOLCOM exec

A National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) official on Friday underscored that the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) should have handled the pieces of evidence in the shooting incident in Quezon City which resulted in the death of discharged Corporal Winston Ragos.

In a television interview, Rogelio Casurao, NAPOLCOM executive director, explained that the pieces of evidence could be viewed as "less credible" if the cops, who were primarily involved in the shooting incident, were the ones who had taken the supposed firearm of Ragos.

"Pag ganitong lumalabas na it was not even handled by SOCO and it was unilaterally handled by police, it might occupy a less credible position in the hierarchy of evidence," Casurao told ANC.

"Baka hindi maappreciate na mabuti ang allegation na 'yan kung there was mishandling of evidence itself," Casurao added. "There are rules governing... if it falls short on the rules of handling of evidence, then they might lose the contention that the victim was himself armed with .38 caliber."

However, this was not the view of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Debold Sinas. He insisted the cops, being the first responders, were allowed to obtain the pieces of evidence.

Sinas explained the evidence would later be turned over to the SOCO or to the investigator assigned to the case.

"Yes, if you're looking on [Ragos] case, sinecure nila 'yung evidence so puwede 'yun kasi sila naman ang involved doon pagkatapos itu-turnover nila 'yun sa investigator on case tapos 'yung investigator on case i-turnover 'yun sa SOCO team para po ma-dust, i-ballistic, physical evidence kung pumuputok o hindi tapos check 'yung shell number kung original or not," Sinas said at a separate press briefing.

"Ganoon po ang procedure noon. Hindi puwedeng pakalat-kalat ang evidence, kailangan i-secure mo then turned them over to the investigator on case," he added.

Asked if the evidence won't be tampered if cops initially get it, Sinas said it will not.

"Kung hindi natin isecure 'yun, lumapit 'yung mga pamilya doon tapos biglang kumuha doon, matampered 'yun..." Sinas said.

Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo, the cop who shot Ragos, was already undergoing inquest proceedings for a homicide complaint, according to the Quezon City Police District.

A motu propio investigation by the NAPOLCOM is ongoing regarding the incident. The Philippine Army is also conducting its own probe.—AOL, GMA News