By Romie A. Evangelista

The National Police Internal Affairs Service is pushing for administrative charges against eight members of the Highway Patrol Group over the shootout with members of a robbery-holdup gang on Dec. 5 last year in Para?aque City.

Director Jaime Tagaca, inspector general, said the recommendation would not preclude filing of criminal charges against them in court.

He said investigation showed they committed lapses in procedures and failed to prevent innocent civilians from death and injuries.

?The participating elements were not able to cordon the area in that way preventing civilians from being involved,? Tagaca said. ?There were also noted possible violations of human rights.?

Tagaca said he recommended to National Police Chief Jesus Verzosa, charges of neglect of duty and grave misconduct against Chief Inspectors Joel Mendoza and Lawrence Cajipe; Insp. Gerardo Balatucan, PO3 Jolito Mamanao Jr., PO2 Eduardo Blanco, PO2 Edwin Santos, and PO1 Josil Rey Lucena.

?We are recommending the filing of administrative case for violation of human rights against PO1 Elybeer Cayaban of the HPG.?

On the eve of Dec 5 last year, a composite team led by Senior Supt. Eleuterio Gutierrez, chief of Task Force Limbas, along with members of the Special Action Force, Southern Police District and Navy intelligence, encountered gang members about to hit a warehouse in United Para?aque Subdivision IV.

The ensuing gunbattle left 12 suspects dead along with Alfredo de Vera and his seven-year-old daughter, Ronaldo Eusebio, an employee of the Southern Luzon Expressway, and Special Action Force PO1 Nixon Vinasoy.

Team leader Gutierrez was shot in the head and remains under close observation in a hospital.

Also injured were SAF Chief Insp. Hermogenes Cabe and Insp. Erik Roranes.