Gamboa says PNP ready to file charges vs cop in QC checkpoint shooting

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is prepared to file criminal charges against Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo – who shot dead a retired soldier at a Quezon City checkpoint – should investigation show that he was at fault, PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said Thursday.

“We have already lodged an investigation by the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) so that there will be an independence in the investigation,” Gamboa said over ANC when asked about an update on the shooting incident.

“If appropriate cases for criminal charges would also warrant then we will file criminal cases on that specific policeman,” he added.

To recall, police said Winston Ragos, who is a retired member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was shot dead after an altercation with Florendo and four police trainees at a checkpoint in Quezon City on April 21, Tuesday afternoon. Florendo was assigned at the Fairview Police Station.

Ragos reportedly refused to follow orders and had violated enhanced community quarantine rules which prompted Florendo to confront him. During the confrontation, Ragos reportedly tried to draw out a revolver from his sling bag, prompting Florendo to open fire. Ragos who brought to a hospital but died.

The PNP chief said PNP-IAS will probe if Florendo’s decision to shoot Ragos was “rightful.”

“The policeman (Florendo) was just cautious because he saw that he is knowledgeable that the person (Ragos) is armed but maybe on the procedure after that, we are going to find out whether the decision of the policeman was rightful at the very moment,” he said.

/MUF