NBI: Atimonan shooting a case of summary execution

PNoy oks raps vs 21 policemen, 14 soldiers

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) concludes that the Atimonan operation last January 6 was a case of summary execution. 

President Benigno Aquino III orders the filing of multiple murder raps against 21 policemen led by Supt. Hansel Marantan and the 14 soldiers involved in the rubout. 

"From all indications, the intent of the operative was not to conduct a usual checkpoint operation, which is to check on possible violations of laws that may be committed by individuals and motorists along the highway, rather the checkpoint was intended to kill Victor Siman and company," Justice Secretary Leila De Lima quoting a portion of the report Wednesday afternoon. 

Aside from the filing of criminal charges, PNP Chief General Alan Purisima already ordered the filing of administrative charges against the 21 policemen. 

Exactly two months ago, the group of Supt. Marantan mounted a checkpoint in Atimonan, Quezon. 

Contrary to the findings of NBI, the policemen and soliders involved maintain that the checkpoint was a legitimate operation. 

In a text message sent to ABS-CBN News hours after the release of NBI report, Marantan insists a shootout took place between his men and the group of 13 led by Siman who died in the incident. 

As of now, Marantan is still confined in a hospital due to a gun wound said to be acquired in the same operation.

Aside from him, charges will also be filed against sacked Calabarzon PNP regional director James Melad, S/Insp. John Paulo Carracedo, SPO1 Arturo Sarmiento, Supt. Ramon Balauag, S/Insp. Timeoteo Orig, SPO3 Joselito De Guzman, SPO1 Carlo Cataquiz, PO3 Eduardo Oronan, PO2 Nelson Indal, PO2 Al Bhazar Jailani, PO1 Wryan Sardea, PO1 Rodel Talento, PCI Grant Gollod, Insp. Ferdinand Aguilar, Insp. Evaristo San Juan, PO3 Benedict Dimayuga, PO2 Ronnie Serdena, PO1 Esperidion Corpuz Jr., PO1 Bernie De Leon and PO1 Allen Ayubo. 

On the part of the AFP, criminal charges are also to be filed against Lt. Col. Monico Abang, Capt. Erwin Macalinao, 1st Lieutenant Rico Tagure, TSG Melanio Balauitan, CPL Clark Magusara, PFC Michael Franco, PFC Kirby-Tam Coronel, PFC Alvin Roque Pabon, PFC Ricky Jay Borja, PFC Melvin Lumalang, PFC Gil Gallego, PVT Marc Zaldy Docdoc, PVT Emergin Barrete and PVT Michard Mangao 

Obstruction of justice

De Lima also recommends the filing of obstruction of justice against the policemen and soldiers involved in the rubout. 

The secretary explains that the crime scene was tampered and that the pieces of evidence were mishandled, making the investigation even harder. 

She said it was made to appear that a shootout ensued between Marantan's group and Siman's. 

"The tampering was done after the incident to make it appear that the victims exchanged gunfire with the PNP and military personnel including the firing of the victim's weapon after everyone has already been confirmed dead and the placement of the weapon on or near the hands of the victims to make it appear that the weapons are used by the victims," she said. 

But what's more disturbing, De Lima says, is that most of the firearms that were turnovered to them by the PNP and AFP were not the ones used in the Atimonan operation. 

"Kailangan i-charge talaga sila ng obstruction of justice dahil iyon ang nagpatagal, nagpahirap doon sa paggawa nung mga examinations, ballistic examinations and the forensic dahil karamihan pala hindi naman iyon 'yung mga firearms na nagamit," she added.

3 eyewitnesses

The report made by the NBI was based in a large investigation conducted with ballistic and forensic examinations as well as eyewitness accounts of three witnesses. 

The three was said to be aboard a truck when the incident erupted. 

According to them, Marantan's group accompanied by the soliders suddenly pulled out a checkpoint signage and blocked the two Mitsubishi Montero containing Siman and the rest of his group. 

They were ordered to alight the vehicle, but  when the civilians did not respond, one of the officers ordered to flog down the two vehicles. 

All these were detailed in a reenactment staged by the NBI last January 17.

Tagalog version of the story can be found [here]