Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Eleazar has ordered a “thorough investigation” on the alleged mistaken identity killing in Iloilo City.
“I understand that there is already a motu-proprio investigation on this but with this allegation, I have already tasked the IAS (Internal Affairs Service) to look into this new information para malinawan tayo,” Eleazar said in a statement.
Last Tuesday, June 29, a buy-bust operation was conducted in Barangay North Baluarte, Molo district, which resulted in the death of 29-year-old Karl Daniel Bolante.
The PNP received a report that police operatives mistakenly killed Bolante during the buy-bust operation after the real target, John Dave Mendoza, escaped.
The report indicated that Bolante had been mistaken for Mendoza.
Another report received by the PNP claimed that the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) had conducted the buy-bust operation against both Bolante and Mendoza.
Bolante was shot and killed after he allegedly acted to hurl a grenade at the policemen pursuing his cohort. Mendoza, it was claimed, was arrested.
Mendoza, identified as street level individual, was previously arrested in a buy-bust operation in 2017.
He availed the plea bargaining agreement from court and was released on November 25, 2020.
During the operations, operatives recovered two sachets of suspected “shabu” with an estimated value of P 6,000.00, buy-bust money amounting to P2,000, one, unit M26 live hand grenade, and one revolver without serial number loaded with five pieces .38 cartridges.
Eleazar appealed to those who witnessed the incident and the relatives of Bolante to cooperate in the process so the truth will come out.
“Kung kayo ay may alam sa nangyaring ito, nararapat lang na panindigan ang katotohanan sa ngalan ng hustisya. At ako naman ay personal na nangangako ng inyong proteksyon kung meron ngang kamalian na nangyari dito,” he said.IMT
