PNP readies charges against cops involved in kid’s death in drug buy-bust

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now preparing the charges against officers involved in the death of a three-year-old child caught in a crossfire during a drug buy-bust in Rodriguez, Rizal, its chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde revealed Monday.

Albayalde, however, said that not all 20 officers relieved from duty will face administrative charges for abuse of authority and irregularity in the conduct of police operations regarding the June 29 operation that killed Myca Ulpina, her father Renato, another drug suspect, and the undercover policeman.

He said that among those who will face charges is the policeman who owns the gun that killed the child based from ballistic examination.

Those who acted as “security” in the operation and did not have anything to do with the gunfight will not face raps, according to Albayalde.

READ: 3-year-old girl hit in drug buy-bust crossfire dies

“Tapos na ‘yung kanilang walkthrough, ‘yung reenactment, and ang sabi sa akin as of last week ay [they are now] ready to file cases against those involved policemen,” he said in a press briefing.

(The walkthrough and reenactment are finished. I was told that they are ready to file cases against the policemen involved.)

Asked if the filing of charges means that the police officers were guilty of committing irregularity in the operation, he said: “Well, kung lumalabas doon sa investigation (if the results of the investigation says so).”

“Kung lumalabas sa investigation as I have said earlier, kung meron tayo makitang irregularity or pang-aabuso o pagmamalabis ng ating pulis, hindi natin pinapalalagpas para hindi na maulit ‘yan,” he added.

(If the investigation shows that the police officers committed irregularity or abuse, we are not going to condone it to ensure that it will not happen again.)

Albayalde said the regional police will consult the mother or other relatives of the slain child regarding the filing of criminal charges against the officers involved in the incident.

He said it will serve as a lesson for police officers not to commit the same mistake in conducting operations. /ee