PH Army welcomes filing of raps vs cops in killing of ex-soldier Ragos

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Army on Thursday (June 4) welcomed the filing by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of murder charges against the policeman who shot and killed a former soldier suffering from war shock near a quarantine checkpoint in Quezon City in April.

Murder, perjury and evidence fraud charges were filed against MSgt. Daniel Florendo Jr., who shot former Cpl. Winston Ragos, at a checkpoint at the village of Pasong Putik after an altercation over Ragos’ alleged violation of a stay-at-home order in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus last April 21.

The NBI also filed similar charges against four other police trainees who had an argument with Ragos.

Ragos supposedly reached for a gun inside his sling bag after the altercation, which led to the shooting. Witnesses, however, said the former soldier was unarmed and suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, a mental disease common among soldiers who have been to wars.

The Philippine Army sought the NBI’s help for an investigation after the killing of Ragos.

“May this development be the first step in our quest of justice for Ragos and his family,” the Army said.

“Through this, we hope that we can at least honor his sacrifices to the nation he served, and raise awareness on the mental health issues our soldiers face,” it added.

Edited by TSB