Nine more police officers have been included in the investigation into the death of a police captain who was repeatedly shot after responding to a gun-toting man at the Parang market in Maguindanao.
This developed as the two policemen who were among the five people who shot dead Police Captain Roland Moralde on May 2 went into hiding after being released from jail.
Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said those included in the investigation are the chiefs of police of Rajah Buayan and Matanog towns and the municipal police stations’ administrative officers.
“As of now, we were informed that the administrative case against the two policemen is ongoing for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer,” said Fajardo.
She was referring to Police Master Sgts. Aladdin Ramalan and Shariff Balading who were among those who responded after a shootout between Moralde and their relatives occurred in Parang town.
Ramalan was assigned to the Matanog Municipal Police Stationwhile Balading at the Rajah Buayan police.
“Aside from the two, there are other police officers included in the ongoing pre-charge investigation, including the chiefs of police of Rajah Buayan MPS, and Matanog MPS,” said Fajardo.
“So there are four PCOs (Police Commissioned Officers) and seven PNCOs (Police Non-Commissioned Officers) who are subject of the pre-charge investigation of the Regional Internal Affairs Service and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region regional police,” she added.
Aside from Ramalan, Balading and the four PCOs, Fajardo said investigations are also being conducted against the three police companions of Moralde who disappeared when the shootout erupted and two more cops who were assigned during that time at the Parang Public Market.
Meanwhile, Balading and Ramalan ignored the order of the regional director of Police Regional Office-BAR to report to duty after they were released from jail when the Provincial Prosecutor ordered their release.
The release order was the reason why the PNP sought for the change of venue of the pre-trial investigation on the case of Moralde.
“They were already declared AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave),” said Fajardo, referring to Balading and Ramalan.