PNP refutes alleged attempt to gun down party-list nominee
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has refuted claims that police officers attempted to assassinate MAGSASAKA party-list nominee Lejun Dela Cruz on Sunday.
PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo clarified that the incident involved the service of an arrest warrant against Dela Cruz for two counts of murder.
“Nung ise-serve yung WOA (warrant of arrest) sa kanya ay tumakbo ito, bumunot ng baril at sumakay sa kanyang sasakyan at hinabol ng ating mga kapulisan.” Fajardo said in a press conference on Monday.
Article continues after this advertisement(When the warrant of arrest was about to be served, he fled and pulled out a gun before entering his vehicle. He was chased by police officers.)
Article continues after this advertisementFajardo said that Dela Cruz hit several vehicles and a motorcycle while onboard his own car. Recovered from dela Cruz was a .45 caliber pistol, Fajardo added.
“Wala pong katotohanan na assassination attempt against the life ni Mr. Dela Cruz. On the contrary siya pa po ang namutok at siya pa ang nanagasa at ang pulis natin na sinasagaan naka-confine. May fracture siya sa pelvis dahil siya ay binangga nung accused po,” she said.
When asked why the personnel who served the arrest warrant was not wearing a uniform, Fajardo explained that its a normal practice among PNP operatives, especially during discreet operations.
“Remember this is a service of warrant, kapagka malayo pa lang yung uniporme na yan ay masusunog na kaagad yung trabaho. What’s important ay noong siya ay inaresto nagpakilala yung ating mga pulis at meron din mga backup na naka uniporme yan,” she explained.
(Remember this is a service of warrant so we don’t want their work to be botched just because they are in uniform. What’s important is when they served the warrant the officers introduced themselves and they have backup officers in uniform.)
“It just so happened na instead na respetuhin yung proseso na alam naman niya na meron siyang outstanding WOA ay pinili niya na tumakbo,” she added.
(Instead of respecting the process, he ran away despite knowing that he has an outstanding WOA.)
Aside from two counts of murder, Fajardo said Dela Cruz will also face complaints for violating the gun ban, illegal possession of firearms, malicious mischief, and frustrated homicide.
“As to his background siya ay dating miyembro ng Alex Boncayao Brigade na allegedly ay involved ito sa mga gun-for-hire activities. Kasalukuyan siya ay sa Marikina custodial facility,” she further said.
(Based on his background, he is a former member of the Alex Boncayao Brigade allegedly involved in gun-for-hire activities. He is currently at the Marikina custodial facility.)
In a statement issued Sunday, the MAGSASAKA party-list said Dela Cruz “was illegally abducted, aggressively beaten, and is now being held in police custody under questionable circumstances.”
The group narrated that Dela Cruz was on his way home from a friend’s house in Cainta, Rizal, between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. when an unidentified man approached and asked about real estate.
“Noticing a bulge at the man’s waist—suggesting he was armed—Dela Cruz became suspicious. His suspicions deepened when two motorcycle-riding men stopped nearby, also appearing to be armed. Sensing imminent danger, Dela Cruz started his vehicle—only to be met with a hail of gunfire from the unidentified gunmen,” the group said.
It added that the Dela Cruz’s vehicle was repeatedly shot until he reached Brgy. Manggahan, Pasig City, where he was cornered.
