Manila, Nov 09: The family of the former top Philippine civil aviation administrator who was killed after he seized a control tower at Manila's international airport today demanded a probe into his death. Police shot dead former air transport office chief Panfilo Villaruel and Navy Reserve Officer Ricardo Catchillar before dawn yesterday after the two armed men raided the building and ordered out the controllers.
In a radio interview before the police stormed the tower, Villaruel expressed despair over government corruption and what he called the country's aimless drift. But he said he didn't want to grab power and only wanted to be heard.
Moments later gunfire was heard in the background, and he said, "they are killing us.…we surrender." Radio listeners then heard him gasping for breath.
Villaruel's family said the police's violent reaction wasn't necessary. Officials said authorities tried to persuade the men to surrender but they refused.
"The family wants an investigation into what happened to my father. The incident that happened, in our view, was too violent," Villaruel's daughter, Maryanne, told DZBB radio.
She asked for support in the family's quest for "fairness and the truth."
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the police action was justified.
He said there may be some truth to Villaruel's allegation of government corruption "but no reason can justify the takeover of a sensitive installation."
Bureau Report