The policeman and his cohort behind the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy in Southville 8B, Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal on Sunday, Aug. 20, have been arrested and charged, the Rizal Police Provincial Office (Rizal PPO) said.
The police identified the victim as John Francis Ompad and the suspects as PCpl. Arnulfo Sabillo, 37-years-old from the Rodriguez Municipal Police, and Jeffrey Baguio, 27-years-old.
According to the police report, the victim's brother, identified as John Ace Ompad, was flagged down while riding his motorcycle by Sabillo and Baguio at a checkpoint where they demanded to see his driver's license.
John Ace said he was scared and refused to present his license to the suspects as they were wearing civilian clothes and were allegedly reeking of alcohol. This prompted him to take off his helmet and throw it at the suspects.
Sabillo drew out his firearm and shot John Ace but the bullet instead hit John Francis in the abdomen when the boy emerged from their house.
The victim was first rushed to the Casimiro Ynares Memorial Hospital and was later transferred to East Avenue Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City where he died while undergoing medical treatment.
Meanwhile, police officers arrested Sabillo and Baguio and seized Sabillo's Taurus pistol loaded with live ammunition.
The pistol was turned over to the Rizal Provincial Forensic Unit for ballistic and gunpowder examination. Sabillo was also subjected to paraffin tests to determine the presence of gunpowder residue.
The two suspects were charged with homicide and attempted homicide while Sabillo will also be charged administratively. The Rizal PPO added that all personnel of ComPAC 5, the team of Sabillo, were administratively relieved from their duty for further investigation and possible lapses that might have occurred before and during the shooting incident.
Rizal PPO Provincial Director PCol. Dominic Baccay said personnel of the Rodriguez Municipal Police Station are currently coordinating with the Ompad family for any assistance and assured that justice will be served to John Francis.
He also expressed his condolences to the victim's family and assured them that the Rizal PNP is doing everything possible to bring justice to the victim and his family.
"We are saddened to learn about the incident. Such acts of violence have no place in our society; we strongly condemn the murder of the victim, Mr. Jonh Francis Ompad.” Baccay said.
"This is an isolated incident that does not represent the vast majority of PNP officers who go beyond their duties every day to make the public feel comfortable and secure," he added.