As doubts grow over 'shootout' that killed mayor and 9 aides, PNP vows impartial probe

From InterAksyon (Oct 31): As doubts grow over 'shootout' that killed mayor and 9 aides, PNP vows impartial probe

Amid allegations of a rubout, the Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed Monday an impartial investigation into what had been billed as a shootout in North Cotabato between the police and a group of armed men - suspected transporting illegal drugs - which ended with the death of a town mayor.

The Oct. 28 gunbattle left Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao, and nine of his bodyguards, dead.

The PNP, citing field reports, had claimed the mayor's group was believed involved in drug trafficking, and President Duterte even cited his case in a speech launching a multibilion-peso reform and development program for the region.

However, relatives and associates of the mayor, as well as some Maguindanao leaders, want an independent probe, citing telltale signs of an execution, since most of the fatalities suffered gunshot wounds to the head.

On Monday, PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said those involved in Friday's alleged shootout will be punished if irregularities turn up in the investigation.

Carlos, citing initial police reports, said that anti-narcotics agents had set up a checkpoint at 4:30 a.m. Friday in Barangay Bulatukan, in Makilala, North Cotabato, on the basis of a "very reliable" source that Mayor Dimaukom's group will transport illegal drugs.

Supposedly, the group will transport illegal drugs from Davao City to Maguindanao area.

The mayor's convoy allegedly ignored the checkpoint, however, and some of his men instead fired at the authorities, prompting them to shoot, police claimed. Dimaukom and his men were declared dead on arrival at a hospital.

After the alleged gun battle, according to Police Senior Supt. Emmanuel Peralta, North Cotabato provincial director, they recovered 13 sachets of shabu and six firearms.

Police account disputed

Maguindanao Rep. Dodong Mangudadatu disputed the police account. Dimaukom’s car was parked properly, he said. The congressman said forensic tests should be done on the Datu Saudi Ampatuan mayor.

The mayor's relatives and employees of the Datu Saudi Ampatuan local government are also incredulous about the allegations against their mayor.

One oldtimer wondered aloud how Dimaukom's name got included in an alleged drugs list. "He has been mayor six years. He grew up here. They were rich even before he entered politics. We don't hear of him doing drugs. Maybe his name was just included?"

Dimaukom's name was included in August in the first batch (150 LGUs) of drug personallities waved by the President. Dimaukom and his wife had turned themselves in to PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa to clear their name.

The DILG office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao rued Dimaukom's passing. Kirby Matalam of DILG-ARMM said the mayor had "transformed his city from a war zone to something [peaceful]... He showed how government should function. if you look at his place, [you can see how much he has done]."

President Duterte, however, reiterated his warning against local officials getting entangled in drugs.

Speaking at Saturday's launch of the Comprehensive Reform and Development Agenda in Cotabato, Duterte said, "alam ninyo na may nangyayari na nga e, may namatay na nga na mayor, eh. Iwasan talaga natin yung droga kasi sisirain talaga ang bayan."

HERE'S NEWS5 VIDEO REPORT BY GEM AVANCENA:

[Video report]

Interal Affairs probing

Meanwhile, PNP Spokesman Carlos said the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) will look into allegations of a rubout, and verify the intelligence report that prompted the checkpoint operation.

Carlos also encouraged Mangudadatu and Dimaukom's relatives to talk to investigators. "Such allegations, suspicions should be formally submitted as observations to bolster our ongoing investigation on the possible liabilities of the policemen,” Carlos said in a radio interview Monday.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/133843/watch--as-doubts-grow-over-shootout-that-killed-mayor-and-9-aides-pnp-vows-impartial-probe