Cop in QC checkpoint shooting charged with homicide
MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City cop who shot dead a retired soldier at a checkpoint for allegedly violating quarantine protocols has been charged for homicide following inquest proceedings Friday.
Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo underwent inquest for the killing of former Army Cpl. Winston following a heated argument over the latter’s alleged violation of quarantine protocols at a checkpoint in Barangay Pasong Putik on Tuesday, April 21.
“Ongoing ‘yung investigation as of now, na ano na natin si Police Master Sergeant Florendo for inquest proceedings. Online inquest siya ngayon,” QCPD director Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo said in an online press conference when asked about updates on Florendo’s investigation.
(The investigation is ongoing as of now; Florendo already underwent inquest proceedings. He is facing online inquest for the case.)
“We based findings on the evidence at hand, yan ang naging basehan natin for inquest proceedings. (We based the evidence for out inquest),” he added.
In coming to his own defense, Florendo claimed that he was forced to shot at Ragos because the latter reportedly pulled out a firearm, a fact that was belied by witnesses in the crime scene and the retired soldier’s family.
Ragos was brought to a hospital for treatment, but he was declared dead on arrival.
Following the incident, Florendo was disarmed and brought to the QCPD headquarters for investigation.
According to National Capital Region Police Office chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas, Florendo is temporarily working for administrative operations at the NCRPO while the investigation on the shooting incident is ongoing.
“At this time, inquest proceeding for Homicide is now ongoing. We will defer to the ruling that the Prosecutor will issue on the case. If resolution says that there is probable cause, effectively Florendo will be placed on arrest. We will bow to the majesty of the law,” Banac said in a Viber message.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered a thorough investigation on the shooting, even as PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa had claimed that Florendo merely exercised his “judgment call” at the time to shoot at Ragos.
