Family of slain drug suspect cries for justice

SAN JUAN, Batangas — The family of a drug suspect killed in an alleged anti-illegal drugs operation conducted by members of the San Juan Municipal Police Station in Batangas on Sunday sought justice.

Bryan Laresma alias Balot, 33, of Barangay San Isidro, Candelaria, Quezon, was killed in what police claimed as a shootout.

The alleged shootout occurred in the boundary of Tiaong, Quezon and San Juan in Batangas at around 6:30 p.m. on May 28, a day before the graduation of Laresma's child.

Laresma's brother, Adrian, said they wanted justice for his sibling's death.

"Magkikita po kami ng kapatid ko ng araw na iyon para iabot sa kanya ang pambili ng solar fan na ireregalo niya sa graduation ng kanyang anak. Kitang-kita ko po 'nung binaril na walang kalaban-laban ang kapatid ko (My brother and I were supposed to meet on that day so I can give him the money to buy a solar fan which will be his gift to his daughter on her graduation day. I saw when he was gunned down)," Adrian said in an interview by the media on Friday.

He said Bryan was about to alight from his motorcycle when he was shot by a member of the San Juan Municipal Police Station.

"Pababa po ng kanyang motor ang kapatid ko nang biglang barilin ng pulis San Juan. Wala naman pong bentahan akong nakita. Bigla na lang pong binaril ang kapatid ko sa hita (He was about to alight from a motorcycle when a police officer shot him on his leg)," Adrian said.

Bryan succumbed to blood loss while being brought to San Juan District Hospital.

"Ang nakakapagtaka po, may ospital na malapit sa pinangyarihan pero bakit po sa malayong ospital dinala ang aking kapatid (I don't understand why policemen brought him to a far hospital when there is one nearby)," lamented Adrian.

The brother claimed that the incident happened in Tiaong, Quezon where San Juan Municipal Police has no jurisdiction.

Rico Macaraig, chieftain of Barangay Del Rosario in Tiaong, Quezon, attested that the incident happened in the village.

Bryan's uncle, Nelson Dimailig, former chairman of Barangay Bantilan in Sariaya, Quezon, said they will seek the help of the National Bureau of Investigation for the reautopsy of his nephew's body, and the Commission on Human Rights to give justice for Bryan.

According to Dimailig, Bryan left behind his wife and seven children.

Meanwhile, the San Juan Police report stated that two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing five grams of suspected shabu worth P34,000, a P500 buy-bust money, and a caliber.38 loaded with two cartridges and four ammunition were allegedly seized from Bryan.

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