No ”timeline” from NCRPO to probers on shooting of suspended BuCor official

February 27, 2020

The chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Thursday said no ''timeline'' was given for investigators over the killing of the suspended legal chief of the Bureau of Corrections ( BuCor).

In an interview with reporters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, Police Major General Debold Sinas he did not impose a timeline so investigators can make sure all information and evidence will be properly gathered.

“. I talked to the investigators and the (Muntinlupa City) chief of police together with the (BuCor) warden to coordinate on the investigation because if I give timeline the investigators might get pressured and just do anything which will later on be a problem to us,” Sinas said.

“It’s hard to give a timeline,” he added.

A week has passed since the killing of Fredric Anthony Santos, who was onboard his vehicle when two motorcycle riding suspects shot him.

Santos was suspended as BuCor legal chief due to his alleged involvement in the controversial Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA).

Sinas admitted that while there were witnesses in crime scene, they refused to give statements, making the investigation difficult for police.

“You know investigators, they tend to ask all details… but when it’s time to sign the affidavit they refuse… they don’t want it to be documented, they only want to say it… we cannot rely on that. We need documents,” he said.

“That’s why I told the investigator to inform them (witness) what you need from them,” he added.

Last Friday, Sinas said the CCTV cameras in the area where Santos was killed were not working.

“The CCTVs in the area that police canvassed are found out to be not functional and working… we are now identifying (the owners) and asked why they put it there when it’s not working,” Sinas said.

According to the owners they just placed the CCTVs for crime prevention even if it is not working.

The NCRPO chief said there are still no persons of interest.

In a radio interview over the weekend, Muntinlupa City police officer-in-charge Colonel Hermogenes Cabe said they obtained a copy of Santos’ dash camera however they have to make the images clearer. Ella Dionisio/DMS