MANILA, Philippines — The family of retired soldier Cpl. Winston Ragos is demanding justice after the 33-year-old was shot dead near a quarantine checkpoint in Quezon City.
“Hustisya lang sana ang makuha ng kapatid ko. Nagsilbi sa bayan, sa gobyerno, tapos ganyan lang ang kahahantungan,” Leopoldo Ragos, brother of the victim, told INQUIRER.net.
The victim was shot dead by Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo of the Fairview Police Station during a confrontation near a quarantine control checkpoint in Brgy. Pasong Putik, Quezon City on April 21.
Leopoldo also disputed claims by the police that Winston, who had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, had a caliber .38 gun.
“Walang baril..kung manonood sila ng video, pinataas ang kamay, pinatalikod. Sabi niya, ‘ano bang kasalanan ko?’ Nilabas niya ang kamay niya. Sana posasan niyo na lang. Ilan sila? Isa, hindi kaya ng pulis?,” he said.
Police said they asked Ragos to go home as he was violating the enhanced community quarantine, but he refused and even threatened the policemen.
A witness told INQUIRER.net that people nearby were begging the police not to shoot Ragos, saying he had a mental health problem.
The witness also claimed that the victim did not own a gun and alleged that the gun was just planted by police as evidence.
According to Leopoldo, his brother was supposed to be admitted to a facility at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center but it was temporarily put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Ipapasok dapat siya, pero baka magka-COVID-19 siya, kaya hindi muna. Binigyan muna ng gamot,” Leopoldo said.
The Philippine Army, meanwhile, expressed its sympathies over the “unfortunate incident.”
Army spokesperson Col. Ramon Zagala said Ragos was given a complete disability discharge in November 2017 after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, Commanding General of the Philippine Army, ordered an investigation to be conducted in order that justice be given to the death of Ragos,” he said.