FILE PHOTO: Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos. INQUIRER/NIñO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — Homicide charges were filed against a police officer who allegedly shot and killed a teenager in Pampanga as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos ordered a thorough investigation on the incident.
Carlos tasked the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3), directing Regional Director Brig. Gen. Matthey Baccay to start the administrative and criminal probe against Police Cpl. Alvin Pastorin, who is being blamed for the death of Abelardo Vasquez, 19, in Bacolor, Pampanga, last Sunday, November 21.
Pastorin, 33, an intel officer of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, is currently detained at the Bacolor Municipal Police Station, according to the PNP.
“I would like to express my sincerest condolences to the bereaved family of Mr. Vasquez and assure them that justice will be served following the due process of the law,” Carlos said in a statement.
Citing initial reports from the Bacolor police, the PNP said in the same statement that Pastorin went to a store when he confronted the victim and his other companions for allegedly not wearing any face masks.
Pastorin, the PNP added, asked the victim and the other teenagers to return home but this resulted in an altercation between the police officer and the victim’s group.
Based on the testimony of a witness, the PNP said Pastorin was attacked and just tried to defend himself.
“Based on the witness’ statement, victim Vasquez called for backup from his relatives who were having a drinking session at home. The witness added that when Pastorin decided to go back to his vehicle, he was pelted with rocks and stones by the group,” the statement from PNP’s Public Information Office reads.
“The witness said Pastorin was attacked and pinned down after he fell to the ground. Pastorin reportedly took his firearm and shot Vasquez who was putting some weight on him,” it added.
However, the victim’s companions in an interview with GMA-7’s Unang Hirit offered a different story. According to them, they were just outside their house when Pastorin allegedly confronted them for being noisy.
The victim’s companions were his cousins, who also claimed that after their uncle tried to intervene, Pastorin was chased by the victim because the latter allegedly saw the police officer pushing their uncle. After that, Pastorin opened fire.
The victim was rushed to the hospital but was later declared dead-on-arrival by doctors.
Earlier, the Bacolor Police confirmed to INQUIRER.net that such an incident occurred in the municipality but they refrained from providing details at that time.
READ: Cop accused of shooting dead a teener in Pampanga, local police says