Cop tagged in boy’s death charged

MANILA, Philippines — The Caloocan policeman accused of shooting and killing a 6-year-old boy during an alleged firefight with a drug suspect has been charged with murder, attempted murder and violation of the gun ban.

The case against Police Cpl. Rocky delos Reyes was filed on Tuesday in the Caloocan City Prosecutor’s Office.

Gian Habal, a Grade 1 student, was playing outside his house in Camarin, Caloocan City, on Sunday afternoon when a bullet hit him in the forehead. He died in the hospital.

Delos Reyes tried to leave the scene, but the boy’s grandmother, Elsa Montañez, stopped him, resulting in the policeman shooting her in the foot.

When he surrendered to authorities, Delos Reyes claimed that he had spotted a drug suspect, Jovannie Mosquito, and tried to arrest him, leading to a shootout.

He denied shooting the boy but admitted firing at the victim’s grandmother. The suspect, on the other hand, escaped, Delos Reyes said.

Col. Restituto Arcangel, city police chief, said Delos Reyes was charged with murder and attempted murder because “we could not find a witness to testify that [he] was engaged in [a] shootout.”