MANILA, Philippines — The case filed against a police officer who allegedly gunned down a construction worker in Marikina City is a mere counter-charge, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, acting director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said on Tuesday.
According to Sinas, Cpl. Hejonner Soller was conducting a legitimate operation when Kim Lester Ramos, a 23-year-old construction worker, died due to a gunshot.
“Upon interview with the chief of Marikina City Police Station, Col. Restituto Arcangel, the alleged case of murder, frustrated murder, and planting of evidence filed against Cpl. Hejonner Soller is a counter-charge after said police officer filed a case against Lauro Lagarde for direct assault with attempted homicide and violation of RA No. 10591 last October 6, 2019, before the Office of the Prosecutor of Marikina,” Sinas said in a statement.
Lagarde is a friend of Ramos, who was allegedly shot to death by Soller at about 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 5. Lagarde also had a gunshot wound on his stomach at that time.
Police narrative: He carried a gun
According to Sinas, Soller, while conducting surveillance, saw four “suspicious” men in a dimly lit portion of Mt. Holy Street in Barangay Sta. Elena, Marikina.
He said Soller introduced himself as a police officer and asked the men about their presence in the area.
When Soller left, the “suspects” allegedly chased him until Ramos and Lagarde, who were on a scooter, cornered him at Gil Fernando Avenue at the corner of Mt. Vernon Street.
Soller, formerly assigned at the intelligence section of the Marikina City Police Station, then again introduced himself as a police officer. The suspects, however, allegedly grabbed his service firearm.
As they fought for the gun, it went off and a bullet hit Lagarde on the stomach.
Lagarde fell down, while Ramos ran for cover and allegedly drew a gun and pointed it at Soller.
Sensing danger, Soller then shot Ramos, leading to his death.
Lagarde’s narrative: He shot him on the head
This narrative from the police is in stark contrast from that of Lagarde.
According to Lagarde, he and Ramos had just finished playing basketball when a man on a motorcycle suddenly approached them and told them to stop their alleged addiction to drugs.
Moments later, they again crossed paths with the rider, later identified as Soller, in Gil Fernando Avenue corner Mt. Vernon Street. In this second meeting, Lagarde asked Soller why he called them drug addicts.
At this point, Soller allegedly pulled out a gun.
Lagarde said he shoved the firearm but was instead shot in the belly. He played dead after that, while Ramos ran away. Soller then allegedly shot Ramos in the back of his head.
Ramos’s family and friends strongly denied that he had carried a gun during the incident.
Cases against Soller, who has been relieved from his post since being tagged in the incident, were filed before the Marikina City Prosecutors’ Office on Monday by Ramos’ father Norman and another person whom their lawyer refused to identify due to security reasons.
During the filing of the complaint, Norman called for justice on his son’s death.
“I hope we win because that policeman who killed my son is a liar. And I hope he tells the truth why he shot him on the head. My son was running away from him so it means he does not want to fight back,” he was quoted as saying, in Filipino, in news reports.
/atm