MANILA: A ‘friendly fire’ killed Police S/Sgt. Nelson Santiago during a recent anti-kidnapping operation in Pampanga province, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced Monday.
In a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said this is based on the results of the ballistics examination on the slugs recovered from the body of Santiago.
‘Lumalabas po sa autopsy report na kinonduct ng Forensic Group na ang kanyang (Santiago) naging cause of death ay sa chest particularly left side ng kanyang katawan at naapaektuhan ang kanyang lungs at aorta niya kaya naging fatal ang tama niya (It came out in the autopsy report conducted by the Forensic Group that his cause of death was a shot in his chest, particularly the left side of his body and it affected his lungs and aorta. His wound was fatal),’ she said.
Fajardo said forensic investigation also confirmed that the bullet from a Galil 5.56 assault rifle used by a newbie police officer hit first Chief M/Sgt. Eden Accad, in his
torso before hitting Santiago.
“There were three of them who entered a dark area during the operation. A member of the entering team saw a gun pointed at them and incidentally, he pulled the trigger and the wounded police officer (Santiago) was the first one who was hit,” she added.
The Aug. 3 operation in Angeles City resulted in the rescue of two victims and the arrest of two suspects. Accad survived while Santiago was pronounced dead on arrival at the Angeles University Foundation Medical Center.
Fajardo said Accad and Santiago were severely injured as they were not wearing bulletproof vests during the operation.
She said the police officer, with the rank of Patrolman, who accidentally shot Accad and Santiago, admitted his mistake and immediately surrendered the firearm.
“Na inquest na ito at sinampahan na siya ng kasong reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and serious physical injury at kasalukuyang siyang nakakulong sa AKG (Anti-Kidnappping Group) (He was already subjected to inquest proceeding
s and was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and serious physical injury and is now detained at the AKG),” Fajardo added.
Fajardo said PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has also ordered a review of the police operational procedures following the incident.
She added nine police personnel involved in the operation have been relieved from their posts pending investigation on possible operation lapses.
For his part, PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) Inspector General Brigido Dulay said they have launched an administrative investigation into the incident.
‘The number one rule here is to determine whether there was negligence on the part of the police, or if there was misconduct. This is because the PNP’s operations are covered by rules of engagement. The IAS is looking into the situation when the operation took place,” Dulay said in a separate interview.
Dulay said a pre-charge initial investigation of the case will take 20 days.
“After that, there would be a formal charge and heari
ngs will commence,” he added.
The IAS chief, meanwhile, assured that those who are found liable would face proper penalties.
He said grave misconduct is punishable by dismissal from the service.
Source: Philippines News Agency