Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa gave the Northern Police District chief and the Caloocan police 24 hours to solve the killing of seven civilians, including two minors and a pregnant women, in Caloocan City Wednesday night.
“If the case is not solved, I will relieve those who should be relieved. Hopefully those who need to be arrested will be caught. All must be done to give justice to the children,” Dela Rosa said.
The ultimatum will end at 9 a.m. today (Friday).
Dela Rosa, however, appealed to the media to stop conditioning the minds of the public that the police are behind the summary killings in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody anti-narcotics war.
“Please stop insinuating to the public that this is the work of the police…This is a drug-related clash. Let’s not poison the minds of the public,” he said.
The fatalities were identified as Angelito Soriano, 16; Jonel Segovia, 15; Sonny Espinosa, 20; Cristina Santor, 45; Analyn Dayamla, 25; Ednel Santor, 22; and Kenneth Lim, 20. All were residents of Package 14, Barangay 176, Bagong Silang in Caloocan City.
Another victim, 18-year-old Edward Villanueva, is still fighting for his life at the Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital.
NPD Dir. Roberto Fajardo claimed one of the victims was involved in the illegal drug trade. He said the killing may have been a case of a drug-related feud.
One of four suspects has already been arrested, Fajardo said.