PNP chief orders probe of Pampanga shootout
MANILA, Philippines—Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Nicanor Bartolome has ordered an investigation of the alleged “overkill” by police officers involved in Wednesday’s shootout with robbery suspects in San Fernando City in Pampanga.
Bartolome directed Police Regional Office 3 (Central Luzon) to start the probe after video footage showed one policeman casually walking over to one of the suspects who was lying motionless on the ground and firing at him although he appeared to be already dead.
All the three suspected robbers died in the encounter.
“The PNP high command has ordered a full-dress investigation into alleged operational lapses by local police in an encounter with armed robbers in San Fernando, Pampanga, on Wednesday,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz told reporters.
The policemen involved would be investigated for possible violation of police operational procedures.
But Bartolome said the investigation would not be limited to the policemen involved “but will go as far as their immediate superior officers under the doctrine of command responsibility.”
Article continues after this advertisementThe Commission on Human Rights has said it would also investigate the case based on the footage shown on an ABS-CBN news report.
Article continues after this advertisementThe video was reportedly taken after a roadside gun battle between policemen and three suspected armed robbers in San Fernando City on Wednesday.
According to the report, the three robbery suspects were shot by the policemen.
The footage then showed one policeman casually walking over to the suspects lying motionless on the ground and firing at one of them.
CHR Regional Commissioner Jasmin Regino was quoted as saying that the police officer could be charged with murder if it was shown that he shot dead a helpless man.
The local police director, Senior Supt. Ed Tinio, was also quoted as saying that they would have their internal affairs department look into the incident.
He also said their field officers act accordingly when they consider a captured armed suspect to still be dangerous.
“It is a judgment call for our police operatives if there is still an imminent danger against their life and limb,” Tinio said.
