The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) announced on Sunday, May 22, that it will conduct a parallel investigation on the shooting incident at the Bureau of Customs - Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (BOC-CIIS) office in Manila last May 20, which resulted in the death of a police officer.
Brig. Gen. Remus Medina, QCPD chief, identified the deceased cop as Executive M/Sgt. (PEMS) Celedonio Caunceran Jr., 42, assigned to the QCPD Headquarters in Camp Karingal in Quezon City.
The BOC-CIIS said they received information regarding a man armed with a firearm who was seen roaming around the vicinity of the BOC’s area at around 5:15 p.m. on Friday, May 20.
Responding BOC-CIIS personnel went to the area at the corner of 15th Street and Railroad Drive, Port Area in Manila were they approached the armed man for alleged violation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban.
The suspect was then identified as Caunceran and was brought to the CIIS office for questioning.
During the investigation, the suspect to use the comfort room and was assisted by a CIIS personnel who removed his handcuffs.
After Caunceran used the comfort room, he suddenly grabbed the personnel’s service firearm which led to a scuffle, the BOC-CIIS said.
The suspect was rushed to the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds on his forehead and chest. He was declared dead on arrival.
According to the BOC-CISS, Caunceran was allegedly involved in grenade throwing and shooting incidents that victimized employees of the BOC.
Operatives from the Manila Police District (MPD) Forensic Unit went to the area and recovered Caunceran’s identification cards, two guns, ammunition, and various documents.
The QCPD, meanwhile, assured said it will thoroughly investigate the incident.
“Nakakalungkot na humantong sa ganito ang insidenteng ito, kung sakali man na totoong may kinalaman si PEMS Cauceran sa lahat ng ibinibintang kanya ay hindi ko kinukunsinti ang kanyang gawain at maging ang iba pang kapulisan ng QCPD na maaring gumagawa rin ng kahalintulad na bagay ay kailan man ay hindi ko kukunsintihin. May batas at proseso tayo para patunayan ang katotohanan ng isang pag aakusa at ito ang ating laging sinusunod at ipinatutupad (It is unfortunate that the incident led to this, if ever the allegations against PEMS Caunceran are true, I will not condone his actions and even other QCPD policemen who might also be doing the same thing. We have a law and a process to prove the truth of an accusation which we always follow and enforce),” Medina said.