PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. on Saturday assured that justice will be served on John Frances Ompad, a 15-year old teenager shot and killed by a rogue policeman in Rodriguez, Rizal on Sunday last week.

“We are committed to ensuring that the bereaved family finds justice for their deceased loved one. Such actions are deeply regrettable and do not represent the values of the Philippine National Police,” Acorda said.

Cases of homicide and attempted homicide have been filed against Corporal Arnulfo Sabillo and his civilian accomplice Jeffrey Baguio last Tuesday before the Rizal Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in connection with the deadly shooting of the victim.

The entire personnel of the Community Precinct Action Center 5 of the Rodriguez Municipal Police Station were also relieved and are undergoing investigation for potential lapses in the handling of the incident.

“The PNP remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice prevails in all circumstances,” said Acorda as he ordered Rizal Police Provincial Office Officer-in-Charge Colonel Rainerio de Chavez to throw the book at the abusive cop.

Col. de Chavez said that they have found out that Col. Sabillo was also the same cop who was ordered jailed and disarmed for violating the ban on indiscriminate firing during New Year’s Eve during the Duterte administration.

He also said that he was also aghast to discover that the suspect was in civilian clothes and with a civilian companion when it was reported that he was on duty and was supposed to be in full uniform since they were on full alert.

“We are also waiting for the result of the liquor and paraffin test conducted on the accused,” Col. de Chavez said.

A report from the Rodriguez MPS said that prior to the shooting, Cpl. Sabillo and Baguio were riding a motorcycle when they attempted to stop Ompad’s elder brother John Ace who was also then driving his motorbike on his way to their residence in Southville 8B in Barangay San Isidro.

John Ace said one of the two identified himself as a policeman and asked him to show him his driver’s license.

Afraid the two are out to steal his motorcycle, the latter said he sped away prompting the two to chase him all the way to their house.

The witness said that he later threw his helmet at the two as the back-rider was drawing his firearm.

When they fell to the ground, the cop fired shots at John Ace’s direction, one of the bullets accidentally hitting John Frances as he was stepping out of the house to check the gunfire.

The victim died while undergoing treatment at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City.

Following the incident, Cpl. Sabillo and Baguio, 27, were arrested and charged with homicide and attempted homicide. Both are now in jail at the Rodriguez police station.

Col. de Chavez condemned the incident and vowed to give justice to the victims.

He also ordered that the accused policeman be stripped of his PNP-issued pistol.

The cop is also being probed for violating police operational procedures like firing his gun indiscriminately at an unarmed target and for accosting another person while in civilian clothes and while in the company of another civilian.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon