A policeman assigned at the Manila Police District (MPD) is now facing a case of homicide after he accidentally shot a delivery rider while allegedly trying to show off his skills in handling his service firearm in Tondo.
That delivery rider who was hit when the service firearm of Police Corporal Oliver Ferrer went off was his best friend.
Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the investigation report he received from the MPD revealed that Ferrer was with his friend Jason Capistrano while visiting a barangay official when the cop started to play with his gun.
“I have already asked the Director, MPD about this case and the initial investigation revealed that the policeman and the victim are friends and it was a case of irresponsible gun ownership. The policeman was already disarmed, detained, and a case of homicide was already referred to the Prosecutor's Office aside from the administrative charges that would be filed against him,” said Eleazar.
Eleazar's statement came after he was tagged in the Facebook post of the relatives of Capistrano who was seeking justice for his death. Capistrano was rushed to Chinese General Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Eleazar expressed deep sympathy to the family of the victim and he assured them that the incident would be thoroughly probed.
"I understand the anger and I feel the pain of the family of Jason and for that I apologize for what happened and express my deepest sympathy for them. I assure you that we will hold this policeman responsible," said Eleazar.
On Saturday, September 18, it was recalled that Eleazar orders the regular conduct of gun safety and marksmanship training for all PNP uniformed personnel, especially those assigned on the ground.
He explained that as the PNP is promoting and requiring responsible gun ownership for civilians who want to own firearms, the standard on gun safety and shooting skills must be high for police personnel.
“I have already issued a directive for the regular conduct of gun safety and marksmanship training purposely to avoid cases like this. Maging aral sana ito sa mga nagmamay-ari ng baril, lalo na sa mga kapulisan, na hindi laruan at kailanman ay hindi dapat ipagmayabang ang pagkakaroon ng baril (Let this serve as a lesson to gun owners, particularly policemen, that firearms are not toys and they must not be used to show off)," said Eleazar.
“Bilang mga pulis, ang pagmamay-ari at pagdadala ng baril ay kasama sa tiwala na ipinagkaloob ng ating mga kababayan na gamitin ito para proteksyunan at hindi para perwisyuhin sila (As policemen, we are allowed to own and carry guns because it is part of the trust and confidence of the people that we will use them to protect them, not to harm them)," he added.