ILOILO City – The family of the man believed to have been mistakenly shot in a drug sting operation in Barangay North Baluarte, Molo district on June 29 plans filing criminal charges against the policemen involved.
“Indi kami magpa-areglo,” said Amalia Bolante, mother of slain Karl Daniel. “Gusto namon makita nga napreso ang nagpatay sa bata namon para mauntat na ila ginahimo nga malain.”
Amalia previously said they were not keen on filing charges against Police Corporal Rodante Lopez of Police Station 1, among others. But they charged their minds after consulting other relatives.
Karl Daniel was shot while the police were running after the subject of their operation, drug suspect John Dave Mendoza, 23, of Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala here.
A paraffin test showed Karl Daniel negative for gun powder nitrate, which meant he was not able to fire a gun.
His family believes Karl Daniel was a victim of mistaken identity. They also said the grenade and .38 revolver which the police recovered from Karl Daniel were all planted.
However, Police Station 1 Chief, Police Captain Shella Mae Sangrines, has since claimed that Bolante was an accomplice of Mendoza.
“Bolante tried to obstruct our men while he was armed with a grenade, so sensing that their life was in danger they have no choice but to shoot him,” she said.
Sangrines also insisted on the legitimacy of the anti-drug operation.
The Regional Internal Affairs Service of the Police Regional Office 6 is currently investigating the shooting./PN
