Palace distances self from shooting of ex-soldier in QC checkpoint

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s “shoot them dead” order against quarantine violators has nothing to do with the shooting of a former soldier in a Quezon City checkpoint, Malacañang said Thursday.

While he noted that all information so far is preliminary, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque urged the public not to give any interpretation to the incident without basis.

“But this is all preliminary. So wala pong relasyon ito sa kahit anong sinabi ng Presidente at hindi po sinabi nung pulis na siya po ay pinatutupad ang order ng Presidente… So wag po nating bigyan ng interpretasyon ang bagay na ito na wala naman pong basehan at all. If at all, it is speculation, it is conjecture, it is not factual,” Roque said in an online press conference.

(This is preliminary. This does not have any relation to what the President said and the police did not say he was merely complying with the order of the President…. Let us not give interpretation to this thing that does not have any basis at all.)

The President earlier warned those who will violate the guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine not to challenge the government as he would not hesitate to have them shot.

Duterte later on clarified his statement to mean that law enforces would only resort to violence if their lives are put in danger.

Winston Ragos, an alleged retired soldier, died after he was shot by a police officer following a confrontation at a checkpoint in Barangay Pasong Putik, Quezon City.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) already ordered to conduct an investigation on the incident.

Roque vowed that there would be a “fair” investigation, stressing that both of the parties involved are serving and have served the government.

“Well unang una po nakikiramay po kami sa retiradong militar na nasawi po sa insidenteng ito. Syempre po malungkot dahil ang nasawi ay nagsilibi rin sa ating bayan,” Roque said.

(First, we mourn the death of the retired soldier in this incident. We are saddened because the person who passed away also served the nation.)

“At nangangako naman po ang gobyerno, ang Presidente na magkakaroon ng patas na imbestigasyon dito dahil ang iimbestigahan ay isa ring taong gobyerno, isang pulis at ang biktima ay isa ring sundalo. Makaasa po kayo sa patas at mabilis na imbestigasyon,” he added.

(The government and the President vow that there will be a fair investigation because the person involved serves the government, a police while the victim was a soldier. You can expect for a fair and fast investigation.)

EDV