3 Makati cops in boy’s death charged

MANILA, Philippines—Charges were filed Wednesday against the three policemen involved in Monday’s shooting and killing of a 13-year-old boy in Makati City.

At the same time, the city’s acting police chief was relieved of his post after he failed to report the shooting incident within 24 hours to higher-ranking officials.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima appointed Supt. Jaime Santos to replace Supt. Victor Loares.

Loares took over recently for Senior Supt. Froilan Bonifacio who is on leave for personal reasons.

“I am warning all chiefs of police and station commanders to better do your job and inform immediately your superiors of any major incidents happening in your area of responsibility,” Purisima said.

At the same time, he urged the three Makati policemen involved in the shooting to come out of hiding.

“Be man enough to face the consequences of your actions,” Purisima said, referring to Chief Inspector Angelo Germinal, Makati Police Precinct 5 commander; Police Officer 3 Robert Riñon and PO1 Nicolas Apostol Jr.

The three were charged with murder Wednesday at the City Prosecutor’s Office by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Makati police.

According to Loares, Germinal and his men were on patrol at 2:50 p.m. on Monday when they spotted 13-year-old Christian Serrano scavenging for metal scraps in an abandoned building at the corner of Kamagong and Bagtikan Streets in Makati City.

Loares said Germinal fired two warning shots but one of them hit the boy in the back, killing him.

According to Purisima, administrative charges would also be filed against the three policemen.

Earlier, he ordered the Southern Police District to conduct a manhunt for Germinal and his men who had yet to report for work since Monday’s shooting.

Purisima also gave the three up until noon Wednesday to surrender to no avail.

Santos, meanwhile, said that no one would be spared in their investigation into the boy’s death.

“There will be no special treatment for our own men. We have assured the boy’s family that we would have an airtight investigation,” he added.