AN investigation was ordered into a shooting incident that involved policemen in Albay and two activists who were reportedly spray-painting protest slogans.
The group Defend Bicol claimed the activists, identified as Jemar Palero, 22 y/o, and Marlon Naperi, 38 y/o, were shot dead by elements of the Albay Police on Monday morning in Barangay Lower Binogsacan in Guinobatan.
However, the official police report stated that the activists were armed and that they fired on the cops, prompting the latter to retaliate.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Guillermo Eleazar, appealed to the public to let the investigation take its course before making conclusions on the incident.
Eleazar already ordered the PNP Internal Affairs Service under Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo to focus and fast-track the investigation in order to shed light on what really happened, said Eleazar.
“Inatasan ko na din ang Director PRO5, Police Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo na ilagay under restrictive custody ang mga pulis na kasama sa pangyayaring ito habang isinasagawa ang imbesitgasyon,” he added.
“Nananawagan din tayo sa mga nakasaksi o may nalalaman sa insidente na makipagtulungan sa mga imbestigador para mabigyang-linaw ang kasong ito,” the PNP Chief said.