Slain drug suspect’s kin calls for probe
NAGA CITY---The family and friends Angelo Calimag who was killed by police authorities in barangay Palestina in Pili town last month as a result of an alleged buy-bust operation have demanded justice and sought the help of Vice President Leni Robredo, the city government of Naga and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the conduct of a thorough investigation claiming that Calimag was innocent and a victim of extrajudicial killing (EJK).
Calimag, 27, a tailor and resident of barangay Mabulo, Naga City was reportedly killed in a buy bust operation in the afternoon of Feb. 27 in Sitio Yabo, Palestina in Pili town. Police authorities said they seized from Calimag packs of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) with a market value of P50,000 and a caliber 45 pistol.
On March 6 during Calimag’s funeral, family members, friends, and sympathizers marched from the Holy Cross Parish passing through the Naga City Police Office (NCPO), Naga City Hall, and the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office (CSPPO) to dramatize their demand for an impartial investigation.
Showing the hearse carrying her son’s remains, Calimag’s mother, Arlene, 54, a seamstress, denounced through a loud speaker the allegation against his son and pleaded for help in seeking justice for her slain son.
In an interview, Arlene told Bicol Mail that she is also appealing to Vice President Robredo to find justice for her son.
CRY FOR JUSTICE. The family of Angelo Calimag who was killed in an alleged buy-bust operation in Pili last month demands an impartial investigation over the extrajudicial killing of their loved one. PHOTO BY PAULO DS. PAPA
She said her son was just an ordinary tailor who sewed gowns and costumes, but according to the Pili police operatives, Calimag was a drug pusher who was under surveillance since last year.
She said the police should have checked the background of her son with barangay officials in Mabulo, Naga City to know whether her son was really involved in drugs.
She said it was very painful for her seeing his son’s body with gunshot wounds, broken arms, and broken lips.
Arlene, who has 11 children also denied that her son owned the gun, which was recovered by police from his son because Angelo, she said, was a gentle and kind person.
“If my son really sells huge amount of drugs, we are supposed to be rich already,” she said.
Calimag’s father, Gregorio, 49, said before the death of his son, he saw Angelo leaving their house carrying a plastic bag of sewn curtains and clothing for delivery in Brgy. Concepcion Pequeña.
He said he never saw a gun and drugs inside the bag, contrary to the police report.
He said that he was still in shock after seeing his son dead with eyes were wide open.
Calimag, according to his mother, was the third of her 11 children and sacrificed his college education to work for his siblings’ schooling.
He was supposed to continue his studies in mechanical engineering at the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST) this year, Calimag’s mother said.