BALABAGAN, Lanao del Sur – Residents have sought justice for a barangay captain who was killed in a firearms buy-bust operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group here on June 22.
RESIDENTS of Balabagan, Lanao de Sur seek justice for Barangay Poblacion Captain Billy Jack ‘Tak-Tak’ Ogca on Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Bonita L. Ermac)
Police identified the suspect as Billy Jack "Tak-tak" Ogca, chairman of Barangay Poblacion, this town.
Residents marched on the streets to seek justice for Ogca on Wednesday, June 26.
Vice Mayor Edna Orga Benito said residents were disappointed that the operation led to the death of Ogca.
Benito said that Ogca had no weapons and he did not fight back. “Why was he shot? Where is motto to serve and protect?” Benito added.
She said that Ogca would have been alive if he was promptly taken to the hospital. Ogca was allegedly taken to the hospital on board a police patrol vehicle 30 minutes after the encounter. He was declared dead on arrival.
Benito described Ogca as a good man, a friend, and a trusted individual who settles differences between Muslims and Christians.
She also called for justice for Ogca. Benito said they will file a case against operating lawmen and present pieces of evidence in court.
The CIDG led by Police Major General Leo Francisco, in a statement, deplored Benito’s statements.
“The CIDG RFU BAR is saddened by the untrue allegations of Vice Mayor Benito, intending to damage the reputation of our institution. The operating team assured that the serious allegations labeled against our institution are baseless and just hearsay," it said.
Francisco assured Benito that a fair and just investigation will be conducted on the operation.
Recovered in the operation were a Toyota pickup truck, three M16 rifles, caliber 7.62, one caliber .45 pistol, magazines, and bullets.