PNP seeks Inquirer help on ‘hitmen’

This pertains to a news story titled: “P25-M hit job out for DOJ, NBI chiefs, lawyer Baligod” (Front Page, 8/18/13).

The report mentioned that among those contracted to kill the justice secretary, the NBI director and lawyer Levito Baligod are Basilan policemen. In this regard, the Philippine National Police (PNP), through the Police Regional Office of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO ARMM), would like to seek more information that would lead to the unmasking of these purported hired killers in police uniforms.

Recognizing the implications of the news report, PRO ARMM, through its Regional Personnel and Human Resource Development Division, immediately started to determine who among the uniformed members of the Basilan Provincial Police Office were former local militiamen. Likewise, the 201 files of those on authorized/unauthorized absence as of Aug. 19, 2013, are now being reviewed by the Regional Intelligence Division.

Relative to the foregoing, the PRO ARMM has designated Police Senior Insp. Orlando A. Carag Jr. to directly coordinate with the Inquirer on the matter being requested. He can be reached through his mobile number. It is our hope and prayer that both the Inquirer and the PNP can work together on this concern.

—NOEL O. DELOS REYES,

police chief superintendent,

regional director,

Police Regional Office ARMM