Self-defense or murder? 7 Caloocan cops in alleged rubout relieved

Chief Insp. Narciso Cajipe shows the tear in his bulletproof vest made by the bullet Mario Balagtas fired at him. —KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING

A Caloocan police station commander and six of his men have been ordered relieved effective on Monday following allegations that they deliberately killed a man whom they had earlier accosted for being shirtless in public.

In a text message, National Capital Region Police Office chief, Director Oscar Albayalde, said he had ordered the administrative relief of Chief Insp. Narciso Cajipe Jr., station commander of the Caloocan Police Community Precinct 6, and six other policemen involved in Friday’s “Oplan Galugad” that left Mario Balagtas, 32, dead.

According to Cajipe, Balagtas fired at them after they accosted him for being half-naked in Barangay 178. But neighbors said they heard the victim begging for his life.

Cajipe, however, challenged witnesses to come forward. He maintained that no rubout occurred, saying he shot the victim “to save my life.”

Also relieved were Senior Insp. Junjun Silvertino and Police Officers 1 Jason Rafael del Mundo, Gilbert Telan, Eleazar Tungcul, Christopher Leaño and Genesis Cataluna.