PNNI wants probe into death of para-enforcer

Palawan NGO Network Inc. (PNNI) expressed doubt over the death of its para-enforcer due to a road accident.

Edgardo “Dado” Crael of Rizal, Palawan,  died in vehicular accident Friday night, January 24 while on his way home after a drinking session with friends.

The victim collided with another motorcycle in Barangay Panalingahan in the same municipality.

But PNNI Executive Director Atty. Robert Chan is seeking for a full-blown investigation.

“We want an investigation to that death kasi ang lumalabas accidental death, hindi kami maniwala eh. It just came after nanghuli sila ng topdown motorcycle na may kahoy na nangyari January 2 tapos January 24 tigok sya,” Chan said in a phone interview.

The PNNI chief added that the timing is questionable and they can’t be blamed since Crael is an outspoken successor of previously murdered para-enforcer Nestor Lubas.

“Nag-crash yung tao ko pero yung kabanggan niya, walang tama. So, kahina-hinala that’s why we are asking for an investigation. Suddenly, may black out doon sa area kahit mga tao ko, natatakot na,” added.

Atty. Chan is regretful about the death of another community para-enforcer in Rizal and appeals to concerned agencies to act on this matter.

“Si Nestor Lubas ang para-enforcer head dati sa Rizal at si Dado Crael ang pumalit tapos ngayon, tigok nanaman. Hindi n’yo kami masisisi na hindi magduda. Nobody is talking to us, black out sa amin,” Chan exclaimed.

Based on the data gathered, almost 12 PNNI members have been killed since it started enforcement operations in 2001. Most of them were targeted not during law enforcement operations but as they go about their daily routines.

Meanwhile, PNP Rizal has a different version of the story.

According to Rizal Police Chief, Police Major Salvador Tabi, the accident happened around 11 P.M. of January 23 and not January 24 but only reported to the police station on Monday, January 27.

“Ang nag-report ay kapatid n’ya pero wala din pala doon, tinawagan lang ng asawa ni Dado. And allegedly, wala palang kabanggan. Mayroong naglalakad na nitibo at ito ang nahagip n’ya ng motor. ‘Yan Self-crash, yun din ang pina-blotter dito ng kapatid n’ya,” Tabi said in a phone interview with Palawan Daily News.

As of now, Tabi ordered his team to personally investigate the area to shed light on the matter.

“For now, yan lang muna ang data namin dahil mahirap ang signal sa area. Ipapa-validate ko basta initial lang muna at ang sinabi ng kapatid n’ya, self-crash at na-out of control s’ya nung mahagip ang nitibo,” he added.

On the statement of PNNI posted on their Facebook Page, Tabi chose not to give any comment.

“Sa account ng PNNI at sinasabi ni Atty. Chan, hindi muna kami magre-react dun kasi ito ang initial data na ni-report sa amin, ipapa-validate muna namin,” Tabi ended.