Reaction Paper on Ozamis Gang Rubout Case

The truth shall prevail a famous line that a well-known newspaper you could read
after its logo- The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The alleged rubout of Ozamis Roberry group leaders Ricky Cadavero and
Wilfredo Panogalinga is a serious case that needs a thorough investigation. It was not
just simple as 1, 2, 3 that could be easily got through. This case is a confidential and
needs to have a further investigation. None could prejudice the situation unless proven
with sufficient evidences.
Accordingly, 14 police officers were cleared by the panel of Laguna prosecutors.
The police officers were cleared after police officer 3 Tugot, a witness in the case;
recant his second and third statements by issuing another statement.
The evidence attached to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) complaint
included the testimony of Tugot, one of the police escorts in the same vehicle as the
fatalities, who, at the time, were being brought to Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba, after
having been recaptured on July 12.
Tugot claimed that there was no commotion inside the van where Cadavero and
Panogalinga were boarded, as claimed by the other police officers, which led to their
shooting.
The policemen claimed that an ambush incident took place, perpetrated by
motorcycle-riding armed men.

If i may put my feet on PO3 Tugots shoes Id rather be in silent. Who knows,
what could these police officers could have done to me? My family and to me?
This incident may could lower the standards of the citizens of the judiciary
system of our country. The mere fact that the evidences that was presented were
strong. According to former PNP Chief Purisima the incident may have signs of rubout
based on the result of the investigation conducted. According to him, there is no
exchange of bullets between Cadavero and Panogalinga and police escorts far different
from the statements issued by the PNP personnel who escorted the victims.
Even the National Bureau of Investigation also making its own investigation in
extracting evidences as much as possible to solve the crime. As far as National bureau
of Investigation is concerned, they will not give any statements unless proven with
substantial evidences.
As the investigation goes, the National Bureau of Investigation found an eye
witness, who witnesses the crime and how it was committed put into their custodial
investigation and placed to witness protection program. He was named Junior.
Accordingly, they left their home upon knowing that the National Bureau of
Investigation has a police escort. Junior does not want police officers to be involved in
the investigation, hence the involves are police officers, he does not want to
compromise the safety of his family due to his confession/s. Junior together with his
family left home and went to Manila (their relatives) stayed there for several days and
left for some reason.
Meanwhile, Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told that Junior is with
their custody and under witness protection program of the National Bureau of
Investigation. As a police officer, I could say that the National Bureau of Investigation
should not only the agency that should conduct investigation even the Philippine
National Police have the right to conduct its own investigation with compromising or
being bias with the both parties and witness/s, unless the witness are being paid by the
other side just to take down the police officers involve.
As an opinion of the citizens, some say it should be cause in the first place the
two persons that were killed are criminal, robbers etc. So many business
establishments were robbed by this group. Even proven guilty, they have connections
anyway they could pay for their liberty. Some say it should not be, for some reason they
do not have the right to take someones life even if they were the notorious criminals or
robbers could ever live. Who are they to judge? In my own opinion, it should in due
process. We have the Criminal Justice System. It should be undergone. At some point if
they were proven guilty, the Bureau of Corrections have the custody for their
safekeeping.

From the investigations conducted, the killing of two victims can be rooted to their
knowledge about their group. In some reason, they may have connections with some
other high ranking officials, may be the killing of the robbers was to keep the information
or truth into silent. There could be chances that they will utter the truth behind their
group or some officials may involve. Who knows what might happen when they are still
alive?
This maybe a risk-taking but for some reason who knows what might happen
next? If the same case will happen would the Philippine National Police would do the
same? Putting the law on their hands. Maybe at some point criminals do not want to be
captured by the Philippine National Police alive, instead they would prefer to fight and
exchange bullets with them, hence it was the same fate if they were captured alive.
One day or another the Justice System in the Philippines could be in peril. None
could ever trust the Justice System. The way it was practiced, only those influential
people could withstand until the last. The mere fact the longevity of trials here in the
Philippines could also trigger the impatience of the complainants, and will end putting
the law in their hands. One day or another, person being involved in the crime may find
dead on the streets, placed on garbage bags, victim of summary execution, chop-chop
or even found dead on the river banks etc. We should not let anyone be a victim of a
crime, for some reason statistically crime being solved is very low. Prevention is better
than cure as always said.

Subject: INQUIRY ON PUBLIC POLICY SUBJECT

Submitted by:

DR. DENNIS ACOP

Professor
Prepared by:
Maricel J Tabuga
Student