Police insist former congressman’s aide Richard Santillan killed in shootout

(Eagle News)–The police on Monday, Feb. 4, reiterated that Richard Santillan, former  Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong’s aide, was killed in a legitimate encounter with police.

“For us, indeed it was a shootout,” Supt. Joseph  Arguelles of the  Police Regional Office 4-A said during a hearing by the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

Arguelles cited what he said were the  two bullet holes in the front bumper of the SWAT mobile of the Cainta police station, and the statement of a Grab driver who allegedly said he heard the gunshots during the supposed encounter.

The police have said Santillan was a member of the Highway Boys crime syndicate involved in robbery, among others, and that his vehicle sped off even after the Cainta police flagged him down.

“Based on an honest to goodness conduct of the investigation, there is no truth on allegations of Atty. Chong that Richard Santillan was kidnapped, tortured killed and was set up,”  Arguelles said.

The National Bureau of Investigation is conducting its own investigation into the police’s claims.