Eleazar: Cops can’t fire warning shot nor shoot at fleeing criminals

Metro Manila police director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar INQUIRER file photo / JAM STA. ROSA

MANILA, Philippines — National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar reminded police officers pursuing criminals that they cannot fire warning shots nor shoot at fleeing suspects especially if there are innocent civilians who might get injured.

Eleazar reiterated this warning on Thursday after a six-year-old boy in Camarin, Caloocan died after being hit by a stray bullet from Caloocan City Police’s Cpl. Rocky delos Reyes.  He claimed that he was chasing a suspect with an outstanding arrest order.

“Assuming na talagang ang ginawa niya ay hinabol niya ‘yon, ‘yong pong barilin niya ito habang tumatakas — kasi ‘yon po ‘yong nakita nating theory dito eh, dahil tatakasan siya, binaril niya — hindi po dapat ginagawa ‘yon,” Eleazar said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer.

“‘Yon pong kahit na warning shot ay dini-discourage na po natin ‘yon lalo na kung gagawin ‘yon at magreresulta sa pagkamatay,” he added.

According to earlier reports, the victim was playing in front of their house in Camarin last Monday afternoon when Delos Reyes fired his .45-caliber handgun toward a supposed drug personality.  Instead of hitting the suspect, the bullet struck the forehead of the victim, resulting to his death.

When the victim’s grandmother tried to prevent Delos Reyes from leaving, the officer shot the woman’s foot for him to escape.

READ: Boy killed in ‘shootout’ between cop, drug suspect 

According to Eleazar, Delos Reyes used his personal weapon because his service firearm was confiscated due to complaints of indiscriminate firing.

“Ang baril niya kasi po, wala ‘yon dating baril na issued sa kanya ng PNP (Philippine National Police), na-kumpiska po ‘yon last December dahil na-involve siya at iniimbistigahan sa kasong administratibo, indiscriminate firing,” Eleazar explained.

“Nakipag-inuman sa kaibigan niya, tapos nagkaroon ng, sinabi may batuhan daw, may bumato sa kanila, lumabas sa bahay niya, nagpaputok.  Last January may kaso rin ‘yan na tinitignan natin, pumasok ‘yan nang naka-inom,” he added.

If Delos Reyes was really in pursuit of a drug suspect, Eleazar claimed the better option should have been to call for backup.

“‘Yon pong sinasabing na may aarestuhin siyang may warrant of arrest.  Well pwede pong gawin talaga ‘yan pero ang mas magandang ginawa dyan sa police community precint para tulungan siya,” he said.

Earlier, it was ruled out that there was no shootout when Delos Reyes fired his gun.  He is currently detained at the Caloocan City Police’s custodial facility while facing murder, frustrated murder, and gun ban raps. /jpv

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