The National Bureau of Investigation is now handling the investigation of the kidnapping and murder of a Baguio City resident which implicated two personnel of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera.
The Baguio City Police Office, which conducted the initial inquiry, inhibited itself from the case to pave the way for impartial investigation.
“In the course of our inquiry, matters have come to light indicating that members of the Philippine National Police are involved in the commission of the crime. The BCPO voluntarily inhibits itself from further investigating the crime and will turn it over and coordinate with our sister agency, the NBI,” BCPO Director Col. Allen Rae F. Co said in a statement on Dec. 21.
Harjan P. Lagman, 25, of Irisan, Baguio, was reported missing on Nov. 11. His headless body was found on Nov 12 in Ambassador, Tublay, Benguet.
The initial investigation revealed two of the suspects are members of the RDEU. They were caught by CCTV cameras in the barangay while in the act of abducting the victim and taking him away in a red vehicle. The CCTV footage of the incident went viral in the social media.
Co said they are not releasing the names of the two police officers while the investigation of the case is ongoing. Both are currently in the custody of PRO-Cor.
He said BCPO has turned over the case files to the NBI and to the counsel of Lagman’s family, to dispel any doubt on the integrity of the investigation and allegations of possible cover-up.
“We remain committed to seeking justice for the victim and his family and will provide full cooperation and support to the probe of the NBI,” Co added.
Last week, PRO-Cor Director R’win Pagkalinawan has dissolved the RDEU after two of its members were tagged in the crime. – Hanna C. Lacsamana
