Murder raps filed vs Sultan Kudarat cops over death of 3 youths
MANILA, Philippines — Eight policemen in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, are facing criminal complaints before the Department of Justice over the killing of three young men in the town in December last year.
The complaints for murder, planting of evidence, and grave misconduct were filed by the victims’ families on Monday against the former police chief, Maj. Jenahmeel Toñacao; Sergeant Syril Mahaddi; Corporals Elpedio Garlit, Joffrey Apalla; and Patrolmen Nicol Dion Toreja, Basser Mako, Mario Rombaoa, and Roldan Claveria.
The victims — Samanoden Ali, 19; and cousin Horton Ansa Jr., 19, Arshad Ansa, 20 — were flagged at a checkpoint in Purok 4, Barangay Didtaras, past 12 a.m. on Dec. 2, 2022, when they allegedly sped off, prompting the police to give chase, which led to a shootout that killed the young men, Toñacao had then told reporters.
Police claimed to have recovered two Colt .45-caliber pistols, one hand grenade, pieces of live ammunition, one unit of Suzuki Raider 150, and a piece of a sachet containing suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) from the body of one of the victims.
‘Shot at close range’
The claim was refuted by the victims’ families, prompting Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu to relieve Toñacao and the other police officers involved in the operation from their posts pending an independent probe.
Article continues after this advertisementThe petitioners’ legal counsel, lawyer Ronald Hallid Torres, said the young men were shot at close range while in a kneeling position.
Article continues after this advertisement“The PNP (Philippine National Police) alleged that there was a shootout, but based on the documents that we have, the three were shot,” Torres, who also chairs the Bangsamoro Business Council, told reporters.
“They were shot closely while kneeling. The trajectory of the bullets showed that they were shot even though they were kneeling,” Torres added.
Torres also said the suspects were currently in the custody of the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Station.
“We have postmortem, autopsy reports, and ballistics reports to show. Our documents are complete to prove their offense,“ Torres said.
The families and friends of the victims maintained the innocence of the young men and said that they have no record of being violent or into drugs.
Patrolman Horton Ansa Sr., the father of Horton Jr., had said it was impossible for his son to shoot the authorities because his son did not know how to use a gun.
Ali was only out to road test his new motorcycle in the company of his two friends when they were shot dead, according to his brother Sahaboden Ali, 22.
