KIN SEEKS JUSTICE OVER DEATH OF DRUG SUSPECT IN ALLEGED GUNFIGHT

THE family of a drug suspect in Quezon killed in an alleged shootout with the police is seeking justice for  his death.

Bryan Laresma alias “Balot,” 33, of Bgy. San Isidro, Candelaria, Quezon was killed in what police claimed as an encounter, a day before his child’s graduation day on May 29.

The alleged clash occurred in the boundary of Tiaong, Quezon and San Juan in Batangas at around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

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

“Ako po ay nagpapakulong kahit ng kamag-anak na lumalabag sa batas. Pero sa pangyayari pong ito, humihingi po kami ng justice,” the former village chief said.

Adrian Laresma, Bryan’s brother, is also crying for justice for his sibling.

“Magkikita po kami ng kapatid ko nang 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,” Adrian said in an interview by mediamen on Friday.

According to Adrian, Bryan was about to alight from his motorcycle when 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, the brother, who was also in the area, added.

“Ang nakakapagtaka po, may ospital na malapit sa pinangyarihan pero bakit po sa malayong ospital dinala ang aking kapatid,”  said Adrian.

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

“Yun pong pinangyarihan ay ang nakakasakop ay Tiaong pero bakit po San Juan police ang nag-operate,”  Adrian added, whose statement was corroborated by chairman Rico Macaraig of Bgy. del Rosario, Tiaong, Quezon.

The brother admitted that Bryan is using illegal drugs but questioned the manner of his death.

Bryan left behind his wife and seven children.

Meanwhile, the San Juan Municipal Police Station headed by  Lt. Col.  Jesus Lintag said the incident was an anti-drug operation that led to an encounter.The San Juan police report stated that  seized from the slain suspect were two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets  containing five grams of suspected shabu worth P34,000, the P500 buy-bust money, and a cal. 38 loaded with two cartridges and four live ammunition