Police not to blame for QC killing spree—PNP-CIDG

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) said on Monday that police are not to blame in the killing spree in Quezon City targeting five civilians at random.

Police Director Benjamin Magalong, CIDG chief, told reporters in an interview that he does not see any lapses on the part of Quezon City police following the deadly incident.

“We do not see any negligence on the part of Quezon City policemen. We don’t consider that as an angle as of the moment,” he added.

On Sunday, two motorcycle-riding men shot at random five civilians to death while traversing the 300-meter-long stretch on Commonwealth and Regalado avenues in Barangay (village) North Fairview between 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m‎.
The first victim was 34-year-old Rodelio dela Cruz who was on board his motorcycle at Commonwealth Avenue when he was shot in the head and body. The next victim was 37-year-old businesswoman Alodia Grace Go who was shot in the neck and head just outside Fairmont Subdivision.

Gelmer Gabronino and Angelie Auguis, both 35 years old, were also on a motorycle on Regalado Avenue when they were gunned down. The last person shot dead was a still unidentified man scavenging through a garbage pile on Commonwealth Avenue.

Magalong justified the area where the crime was committed was “too wide” for the police to patrol.

“Hindi naman every corner, every square meter, nandoon ang police (We cannot expect policemen to be present at every corner and every square meter),” he said.

Immediately after the grim incident, Magalong said the CIDG has formed a six-man tea‎m to conduct a thorough investigation.
“I hope you understand na hindi sa lahat ng bagay, may kasalanan ang police (I hope you understand that the police is not always at fault),”‎ he added‎.