‘No shoot-to-kill order vs Chiva robbery group’
Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao Jr., police regional director, has brushed aside reports the police planned to kill members of the Chiva-Fajardo Robbery Group if they will have an encounter with policemen.
“I have not given such an order. My order is for our police personnel to enforce and implement the law,” he said.
By enforcing the law, Pagdilao said he is referring to the serving of arrest warrants against slain brothers Gilbert and Joey Chiva, and their second cousin, Arnel Chiva, who was arrested.
“But of course, if our personnel’s safety and security are put at risk, they have to determine the situation and should do what they are supposed to do,” he said.
He said what was clear with the police personnel is for them to implement what is lawful.
Pagdilao cited the operating teams who engaged the Chiva group members in a gunbattle for a job well done.
The teams were from the Iloilo Provincial Police Office Task Force Anti-Robbery and Extortion, the Regional Special Operations Group, Regional Intelligence Unit 6, IPPO-Special Weapons and Tactics Team, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, 3rd and 4th Public Safety Maneuver Platoons, IPPO Explosives Ordnance Division, and the Philippine Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion based in Calinog town.
“We would sustain our fight against robbery groups and we would rise to the challenge,” he said.
For now, Pagdilao said the Chiva Group is reduced to an ineffective criminal gang.
“But whether they are neutralized forever is something else,” he said.
Gilbert, 25, and his younger brother, Joey, 22, of Sitio Bolicao, Brgy. Alibunan, Calinog, were killed after a shootout with police and military operatives early morning of Saturday.
Arnel, 23, brother of Chiva-Fajardo Group leader Jenel Chiva, was arrested in the same operation.
The authorities were to serve two warrants of arrest, both for robbery cases, to Gilbert and one each to Joey and Arnel, when the exchange of gunfire took place.
With members numbering about 20, the Chiva-Fajardo Group started their robbery binge after the May 2010 polls and continued their activities until this month.
