Cops who shot 3-year-old in Rizal buy-bust identified
MANILA, Philippines — The police officers who shot three-year-old Myca Ulpina during a buy-bust operation in Rodriguez, Rizal were identified on Wednesday.
A report from Brig. Gen. Edward Carranza, Calabarzon regional police, showed that the bullets that hit Ulpina came from the firearms of undercover policeman Master Sgt. Conrad Cabigao and Cpl. Mark Jherson Olaño during the operation.
“Investigation revealed that the possibility of the bullets which hit Myca’s nape based on its upward trajectory was seen to be coming from the firearm of PSMS Cabigao,” Carranza said in a statement.
“While the downward trajectory of bullets that hit Myca’s right thumb and left foot was believed to be coming from an elevated position, which was later admitted by PCpl Mark Jherson Olaño as corroborated by Pat Christopher Escayde,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementCarranza also disclosed that administrative complaints are being prepared against Rizal police members who were involved in the death of Ulpina.
Article continues after this advertisementPCMS Gerry Cordero, who acted as team leader in the operation, will face charges for grave irregularity in the performance of duty while grave neglect of duty will be filed against Lt. Col. Resty Damaso for command responsibility.
Another complaint for grave neglect of duty will be filed against PCMS Vladmir Dizon, chief investigator of Rodriguez Municipal Police Station, for allowing his four patrolmen investigator for handling the operation without the supervision of a senior police investigator.
Ulpina died after she was caught in a crossfire between drug pushers and law enforcers in Rizal on June 30.
READ: 3-year-old girl hit in drug buy-bust crossfire dies
Ulpina, her father Renato Ulpina, Cabigao, and another unidentified man were killed in the anti-drug operation.
Uplina was believed to have been used by her father as a human shield during a firefight between the suspects and police officers. Her mother, Lydjay Acopio, has disproved the claim. /je
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