CHR to probe death of teen shot by cop in Pampanga

Commission on Human Rights office, FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is poised to conduct its own investigation on the death of a teenager who was shot by a police officer in Pampanga.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said in a statement Friday that police officers should always remember that both the United Nations and Philippine National Police (PNP) prohibit the use of excessive force in subduing possibly erring individuals.

“The [CHR] is launching a motu proprio investigation into the death of a teenager, who was said to have been shot by a police officer last 20 November following an altercation,” De Guia said.

“Similarly, as detailed in their own Philippine National Police (PNP) revised operational procedures, the use of excessive force or the indiscriminate use of firearms is categorically prohibited. And should it be necessary, a warning must be first issued and the force to be employed should only be to neutralize resistance and subdue clear and imminent danger,” she added.

Police Cpl. Alvin Pastorin, an intelligence officer from the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, was being blamed for the death of a 19-year-old male in Bacolor, Pampanga last November 21.

Pastorin claimed that he reprimanded the victim and his companions for not wearing face masks while inside a store. The government is requiring the wearing of face masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

But reports said that instead of adhering to the police officer’s order for them to return home, the victim allegedly started an altercation and pinned down the law enforcer which purportedly prompted Pastorin to open fire.

But in a separate interview of the victims’ companions, who happened to be his cousins, they claimed that they were only sitting outside their house and were having a talk when Pastorin complained about their noise, which then led to an argument.

The cousins’ uncle supposedly intervened for them, making Pastorin leave the scene. However, the victim allegedly confronted Pastorin when he saw the police officer pushing their uncle. Subsequently, Pastorin allegedly shot the teenager.

READ: Cop in Pampanga teen slay faces homicide raps; PNP chief orders full probe

PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos has directed the Police Regional Office 3 to conduct a thorough investigation on the incident.

“We welcome Philippine National Police chief Police General Dionardo Carlos’ announcement on Wednesday, reiterating the PNP policy against indiscriminate firing,” De Guia said.

“Pending the results of the investigation, we continue to urge our law enforcers to always exercise maximum tolerance and patience in dealing with situations of peace and order. Use of excessive force which is unwarranted and not proportional to the violation committed is prohibited by the PNP operational procedures and must be dealt with accordingly,” she added.

KGA