MANILA, Philippines—Manila cops have never been more controversial. With the fourth streak of gun-grabbing incident resulting to the death of another suspect in police custody, the Commission on Human Rights has recently expressed its dismay over the law enforcement agency.
Nestor Delizalde, Jr., who was arrested for robbery and murder, got killed by a fatal gunshot on the forehead while on his way back to the headquarters after visiting the scene of the crime along with police escorts aboard the police car.
Delizalde earlier owned up to the charges against him for killing bank executive Evelyn Tan, her mother, Teresa, and the housemaid Cristina Partolay, and for robbing the Tan residence on Yakal Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila.
In the initial investigation conducted by the Manila Police District, Delizalde was shot by a police escort after grabbing the gun of Police Officer 3 Michael Pastor seated next to him.
Chief Inspector Joey de Ocampo of the Manila Police District Homicide Section later dismissed initial findings and revealed that Delizalde accidentally shot himself amidst the scuffle, according to news sources.
In the past, three other suspects under MPD custody ended up dead after similar gun-grabbing incidents: (1) Gong, Shu Yang charged for killing his girlfriend; (2) Roderick Soliveres and Cecilio Bacolo charged for raping and killing a seven-year-old girl; and (3) Ruel Comedia charged for killing a security guard and robbing several individuals including an American national.
According to sources, Secretary Loretta Rosales, of the Commission on Human Rights, asked Mayor Alfredo Lim to retrain members of the Manila Police Force for their failure to protect suspects in police custody which is attributed either to disrespect for human rights or police incompetence.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, on the other hand, stood by the Manila Police Force.
Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that the Quezon City Police District was commendable in investigating and resolving the murder of Julie Ann Rodelas, leading to the identification and arrest of major suspects Althea Altamirano and Fernando Quiambao Jr.
