THE Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) will push through with its investigation on the personnel of the Mabolo Police Station who failed to stop murder suspect Noeh Niez from escaping on Thursday morning, Aug. 12, 2021.
The inquiry will happen despite the death of Niez, who was killed by the Mabolo Police Station personnel inside a cemetery in Barangay Carreta past 11 p.m. Thursday.
According to the police, Niez did not surrender when he was cornered. The murder suspect allegedly drew his gun and tried to shoot the police officers who were about to arrest him. The gun, the police said, did not fire. Despite this, the police shot Niez, who eventually died.
Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, CCPO deputy director for operation, said the investigation would determine if the police officers who escorted Niez had committed errors.
Niez had killed construction worker Johnrey Sanico last month.
Before his escape, Niez had been brought for a medical checkup. Afterwards, the murder suspect jumped off the patrol car while it was on its way to the Mabolo Police Station and escaped by going into the crowded interior of Carreta.
Niez was about to be transferred to the Cebu City Jail, but he was reportedly vocal against it. This could have been the motive for his escape.
At 9:42 p.m. Thursday, the Mabolo Police Station received a report that Niez was hiding in one of the houses inside a cemetery in Carreta and the suspect was armed.
When the police arrived, Niez tried to escape by entering the house. A police officer was able to get hold of him, but Niez wriggled his way out.
Niez then pulled out his gun and tried to shoot the police twice. But the gun did not go off, giving the police the chance to retaliate. Niez was hit in the chest.
The police said Niez was a known robber and he was involved in the illegal drug trade—allegations that Niez can no longer answer. (AYB / KAL)