2 more cops hunted down for Makati shooting incident

Salvacion Serrano, mother of the 13 year-old scrap metal collector killed in Makati City by a police officer appeals to Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. to help bring justice to her son’s death.

MANILA, Philippines — Two more policemen were being hunted down by authorities in relation to the killing of a 13-year-old boy who was shot by a Makati police precinct commander, a police official said.

Chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima has directed the Southern Police District to catch three police officers involved in the death of Christian Serrano. Purisima also issued a warning to erring policemen “to better do your job” and inform their superiors of any major incidents in their area of responsibility.

“Let this serve as a warning. I will not hesitate to relieve you from your posts if you are remiss of your duties,” Purisma said.

In a separate interview over Radyo Inquirer Wednesday, the victim’s mother, Salvacion, appealed to Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. to help in giving justice for the death of her son.

“Mayor Binay, tulungan niyo po ako mabigyan ng hustisya ang anak ko bago po mailibing (Mayor Binay, please help me give justice to my son before he is be buried),” the elder Serrano said.

The mother refuted statements of officer-in-charge Colonel Jaime Santos that Makati police has coordinated with the victim’s family and has given them security. “Humihingi po kami ng tulong dahil malakas po ang kalaban namin [we are asking for help because our opponent is strong],” she added.

The mother added that local policemen demand scrap metal collectors to give them a portion of their haul regularly.

The young Serrano was fourth among seven children and it was his first time to collect scrap metals when he was killed, his mother said.

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Jose Arne delos Santos, head of the SPD has ordered his men to arrest Police Community Precinct 5 commander Chief Inspector Angelo Germinal, who fired the warning shot that hit and killed Serrano. Police are also on the look-out for Police Officer 3 Robert Rinion and PO1 Nicolas Apostol Jr., who were said to have been with Germinal during the incident.

Germinal’s warning shot killed Serrano, who was looking for scrap metal in an abandoned building at the corner of Kamagong and Bagtikan Streets in Makati City. Germinal, Rinion and Apostol did not report for work Tuesday, said Purisima.

The NCRPO chief gave the suspects up till 12 noon Wednesday to turn themselves in and face administrative and criminal cases.

Superintendent Victor Loares, officer-in-chief of the Makati City Police Station has been relieved from his duties and replaced by Superintendent Jaime Santos. Loares has been ordered to explain why no actions were made to report the shooting incident to higher police officials.

Meanwhile, Makati City officer-in-charge Joey Salgado said Binay has instructed the investigation of the case. He said financial and security assistance will be given to the Serrano family.

For a related report, listen to Radyo Inquirer, DZIQ 990 AM.

Danica Hermogenes, Inquirer.net