The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered on Monday, August 9, the police to investigate the death of an alleged mentally unstable man who was gunned down by a barangay tanod (village watchman) in Manila last Saturday, August 7.
“Iniimbestigahan na po natin ang report na ito. Ang Philippine National Police (PNP) ay inatasan na po ni Secretary Eduardo Año upang alamin ang puno't dulo nito (We are already investigating this. Secretary Eduardo Año already ordered the Philippine National Police to determine the root cause of this incident),’’ DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said.
Based on the report, Cesar Panlaqui allegedly shot a 59-year-old curfew violator in Tayuman while he was with other barangay security officers to enforce the 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew as part of the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila.
The victim was allegedly banging the doors and gates of the houses in the area, the reason why he was accosted.
But the victim was allegedly carrying a toy gun which was mistaken by Panlaqui as real. The victim was then shot on the chest and died on the spot.
Panlaqui was later arrested and claimed it was self-defense. Recovered from him was an unlicensed firearm which also does not have a serial numbe.