‘Emotionally disturbed’ cop shot dead by peers in Davao City

DAVAO CITY – An emotionally distressed policeman was shot dead by his peers here on Monday evening, a police spokesperson said Tuesday.

Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz, the spokesperson of the Southern Mindanao Police Office, said the Regional Mobile Force Battalion received an alarm about a mauling incident, where a tricycle driver was reportedly manhandled by a man just outside the regional police camp in Buhangin district here around 6:10 p.m. Monday.

Driz said as the responding RMFB personnel were approaching, they were fired upon by the suspect, prompting them to fire back, killing him.

According to Driz, the suspect was identified as Senior Police Officer 1 Roger Padayogdog, also a member of the RMFB.

“He was immediately brought to (the Southern Philippines Medical Center) for medical treatment but later expired as declared by his attending physician,” Driz said.

She said responding RMFB personnel admitted having not recognized Padayogdog as he was wearing civilian attire and the place of incident was quite dark.

“According to some information gathered from his peers, SPO1 Padayogdog was observed emotionally distressed lately,” Driz said.

Driz said an investigation into the incident was still being conducted.

Driz, meanwhile, reminded police officers to be in full uniform always when they bring firearms with them.

“Policemen in civilian attire are prohibited from bringing firearms, especially now that we have the election gun ban,” she added.   /muf