The remains of Alberto Delos Reyes, the farmer who was shot and killed by police in Barangay Sitio Pag-asa, Barangay Caigangan in Buenavista town, were buried on Tuesday.
Hundreds of mourners dressed in white and carrying tarpaulins shouted for justice.
According to Jennifer Delos Reyes, the farmer’s wife, they wanted to see the policeman who shot the wife in jail.
“Ang gusto po naming mangyari hustisya po makulong po yung pulis na pumatay sa asawa ko at matanggal po sa serbisyo,” she said.
It will be recalled that Corporal Jay Anthony Custodio shot and killed Delos Reyes on Friday while conducting anti-illegal logging activity in Sitio Pag-Asa. Still, based on the witness’s statement to his wife, foul play occurred.
“Yun pong asawa ko po ang pinuntirya niya ngayon nung nakatalikod po ang asawa ko at itatabi niya yung power saw, tinutukan po agad ng pulis, nung pagtutok sabay putok po yung pagtutok po na yun, tatlong sunod po agad,” said Jennifer.
His 10-year-old son also allegedly witnessed the murder of his father.
Farmer shot by police in Marinduque laid to rest
“Yung anak ko po na yun nandun po sa crime scene, siguro mga 2 dipa o 3 dipa ang layo nung anak ko…Noong narinig po ng anak na si papa niya nahingi ng tulong…Nakita po niyang nakaluhod si papa niya nag-hands-up na po sabay pinutukan na po sa batok, ilang sunod sunod na po…Tapos po nung pagputok noon, sumubsob na po yung asawa ko, yun po ang ano ng asawa ko at testigo po namin,” said Jennifer.
However, the police said that while the authorities were conducting an operation against the tree cutters that day, everyone ran away, but Delos Reyes was caught.
But instead of surrendering to the authorities, the farmer allegedly attacked with a bolo that pushed Custodio to shoot Delos Reyes.
Custodio has been relieved of his post, as has Police Lt. Marson Lontoc, the officer-in-charge of the Buenavista Municipal Police Station, and is now under restrictive custody.
Philippine National Police Chief General Guillermo Eleazar has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.
The victim’s wife has already given a statement to the fiscal and hopes to get justice as soon as possible.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.