SAN JUAN, Batangas – The police chief and eight anti-narcotics operatives of this town have been relieved from their posts following the death of a drug suspect during an operation on May 28 in Barangay Lipahan here.
Police Lt. Col. Jesus Lintag was relieved and replaced by Police Lt. Col. Rommel Sorbido as officer-in-charge while the eight policemen were transferred to the Provincial Personnel Holding Center in Batangas City.
Police Regional Office 4-A chief Police Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas has formed a special investigation team to determine if these policemen violated standard operating procedures and committed irregularities in the performance of duty.
The victim, Bryan Laresma, alias Balot, was killed in a shootout with the police and two sachets of suspected shabu and a caliber. 38 revolver with bullets were recovered from him.
Laresma sensed that he was transacting with a police officer. He drew a gun and shot the lawman who returned fire and hit the suspect’s right thigh.
The suspect was taken to the San Juan District Hospital where he was declared dead.
Laresma’s relatives sought help of the National Bureau of Investigation for a re-autopsy and requested the Commission on Human Rights and House of Representatives to conduct parallel probes.
His sibling said Bryan had just alighted from his motorcycle when he was shot by the police.
Lintag said that the operation was legitimate and they are ready face to any investigation.