QCPD team leader recalls deadly shootout with PDEA during Senate probe
Aftermath of a shootout near Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City on Feb. 24, 2021. PDEA agents were made to lie down on the ground. Photo from PNP-PIO
MANILA, Philippines — The team leader of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) officers involved in the deadly shootout between anti-drug operatives in February broke down on Monday during a Senate hearing on the incident as he recalled the death of his fallen comrades.
On Feb. 24, QCPD officers and operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) engaged in a deadly shootout along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, which resulted in the death of two policemen, a PDEA agent and an informant.
“Masakit, sir. First time ko makita yung tao ko nasa sahig. Pero kumakalma ako, bilang team leader po nila, kailangan kong tatagan yung loob ko,” Police Maj. Sandie Caparroso told Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa during Monday’s Senate investigation into the incident.
Caparroso was serving as chief of the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) at the time of the incident. Dela Rosa chairs the Senate committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs which is investigating the supposed “misencounter”.
“Nung mahawakan ko yung tao ko, masakit. Hindi ko in-expect yung pangyayari na ‘yon, buhay ng tao ko ang nasasakripisyo,” Caparroso said as he tried to hold back tears.
Article continues after this advertisement“Nilakasan ko yung loob ko during that time. Wala akong naririnig, mura, galit, ‘patayin na natin yan.’ Pinatay yung kapatid natin Sir, pero yung pagiging pulis ang nanaig sakin,” he added.
