Teen killed in police operation in Rizal

MANILA, Philippines — The Rizal Police Provincial Office on Friday confirmed the death of Grade 9 student John Francis Ompad from Rodriguez, Rizal, on August 20 after he was shot by a police officer whose actual target was the victim’s older brother.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ruben Piquero, in a phone interview, told INQUIRER.net that the victim’s brother, John Ace, was initially flagged down by Police Corporal Arnulfo Sabillo, 37, through a mobile “Oplan Sita” after the officer noticed that he was driving a “suspicious-looking” vehicle.

Sabillo reportedly asked John Ace if he had documents proving he owned the motorcycle. The allegedly intoxicated John Ace refused to answer and drove away from the officer.

“Nagkaroon ng chasing. Pagdating malapit sa bahay nila, [kine-claim] ni [John Ace na nakita niya] na parang may binunot ‘yung backride [ni Sabillo]. Kasi yung pulis ay may kasamang sibilyan. Kinuha ni John Ace ang helmet niya at binato niya doon sa pulis, bumagsak ang pulis at noong tumayo ay pinutukan na si John Ace. Kaya lang hindi tinamaan si John Ace, ang natamaan ay si John Francis na kagagaling lang sa loob ng bahay at nagkataong lumabas [noong nangyayari ang insidente],” said Piquero.

(A chase transpired. When he got close to their house, [John Ace] [claimed] that he saw [Sabillo’s] backrider pull something out. A civilian accompanied the police officer. John Ace took his helmet and threw it at the policeman. The policeman fell, and he tried to shoot John Ace when he stood up. But John Ace was not shot; the one who was hit was John Francis, who had just come from inside the house and happened to come out when the incident occurred.)

John Francis was first rushed to Casimiro Ynares Memorial Hospital but was later moved to East Avenue Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City. He was declared dead during his medical treatment.

“We are saddened to learn about the incident; such acts of violence have no place in our society; we strongly condemn the murder of the victim, Mr. John Francis Ompad,” said Police Colonel Dominic Baccay, Rizal Police Provincial Director, in a statement.

Suspects Sabillo and civilian Jeffrey Baguio, 27, were subsequently arrested following the incident. The suspect’s firearm was also confiscated and handed over to the Rizal Provincial Forensic Unit for examination.

Piquero said that both suspects are now in the custody of Rodriguez, Rizal Police Station. They are also facing attempted homicide and homicide cases before the prosecutors’ office.

Authorities have yet to determine why Sabillo was accompanied by Baguio during the Oplan Sita operation. Meanwhile, investigations are still ongoing to determine if Sabilla was intoxicated during the incident.

According to Piquero, the police are still gathering more evidence and accounts from those at the crime scene.

— With reports from Juan Miguel Talens, INQUIRER.net trainee

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