Family of drug suspect seeks CIDG’s help

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Police Officer 3 Pelegrino Palomar Jr. (right) with Alicia Rose, mother of alleged drug suspect during his conduct of investigation of the alleged police brutality. Reijie Rose is recuperating at the Aklan provincial hospital for injuries sustained on July 13 anti-drug police operations / PHOTO AKLAN FORUM

The family of alleged drug suspect in Kalibo, Aklan is exerting all efforts for an immediate and thorough investigation on alleged police brutality.

Alicia Rose, mother of 27-year old Reijie Rose, sought the help of regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) headed by Police Superintendent Peter Naboye on the appalling incident of excessive force last Sunday in Barangay Tigayon in Kalibo, Aklan. 

The investigation of Aklan Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS) is also underway following acting Aklan provincial police director Senior Superintendent Samuel Nacion orders.

On Thursday, Police Officer 3 Pelegrino Palomar, Jr. of Aklan PIAS confirmed that the police involved in the buy-bust operation were being probed into alleged case of brutality. 

In the medico-legal report, Reijie suffered multiple injuries secondary to mauling with abrasion hematoma on left forearm, upper lip, multiple abrasions on right elbow, right and left knee, superficial hematoma face, facial bone fracture, among others. 

Alicia said they will also fully cooperate with the police with its investigation to ensure justice is served for her son Reijie.  She is also appealing for financial support to cover the medical services of a neurologist-surgeon in Iloilo City for the safe recovery of Reijie. 

The alleged drug suspect is presently confined at Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo, Aklan. He is guarded 24/7 by the local police.

Rose was arrested by operatives of Aklan Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG) in a buy-bust operation on July 13 at around 1 a.m. in Barangay Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan.

Nacion said the police operation led by PAISOTG head Inspector Wilfredo Hofilena resulted also into the conduct of follow-up operation in Villa Salvacion in Barangay Andagao here.

“In that incident, the operatives brought the suspect arrested from Barangay Tigayon to Villa Salvacion because of the element of time for the operatives will be able to catch up with the suspects in Villa Salvacion” he said in the regular session of Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan yesterday morning. 

During the Andagao operation, four drug suspects including a woman were apprehended by the anti-narcotics unit.  

Citing initial information, Rose was not yet injured when he was transported from Barangay Tigayon to Villa Salvacion. 

“There was an incident in Barangay Andagao when the suspect had tried to evade or flee from the operative guarding him since the other PNP personnel were there in the ongoing operation,” Nacion said. 

While he was chased by the operatives, the handcuffed suspect hit the ground as police also grappled him.  

Nacion said the suspect was admitted in the Aklan provincial hospital after the drug inventory was done in Barangay Tigayon.