PNP BOI to look into 55th SAF’s lone survivor’s alleged killing spree

The Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry will investigate allegations that the lone survivor of Special Action Force 55th company, P02 Christopher Lalan, killed at least one civilian, GMA News' 24 Oras said Thursday.

 

According to the report, Lalan earlier said in an interview right after the Mamasapano clash that he killed at least eight people during his escape from the encounter site in Maguindanao.

 

Another report said that Lalan shot a civilian and four members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in a mosque while fleeing.

 

PNP BOI head Director Benjamin Magalong said the panel will look into the issue to make its report as comprehensive as possible.

 

“Probably one of the collateral issues siguro na kailangan tignan. You should remember na hindi kami prosecutorial dito. We're just purely a fact-finding [body],” Magalong said.

 

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. said the investigation will not cover up for anyone but it was also fair to consider the situation Lalan was in at the time.

 

“According naman sa narration niya, more of part ng operation 'yung ginawa niya to survive. Masasabi natin 'yung assumption of regularity,” Cerbo said.

 

Psychiatrist Dr. Ma. Bernadette Arcena explained that Lalan was probably going through a difficult time after the incident.

 

“'Yung guilt feelings mo na bakit ikaw nabuhay, bakit sila namatay lalo na 'pag nag-iisa ka sa isang pangyayari. There's depression, guilt, feeling ng trauma tapos anxiety din,” Arcena said.

 

PNP health service spokesman Chief Insp. Raymond Santos confirmed this saying that Lalan showed signs of trauma a week after the incident but has significantly improved thanks to therapy.

 

“Sa lahat ng mga wounded na SAF, siya kasi 'yung may pinakamalaking adjustment na gagawin sa sarili para maka-cope. [Pero] hindi na siya ngayon 'yung parang nara-rattle, fearing for his life, para bang galit sa nangyari. Ngayon makakausap mo na siya ng normal. Relaxed na siya,” Santos said. —Andrei Medina/NB/KG, GMA News