MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Archie Gamboa reminded policemen to exercise “proper judgment calls” when confronted by challenging situations in enforcing quarantine laws.
Gamboa’s reminders came after the death of a retired soldier who was shot dead by policemen manning a checkpoint in Quezon City Tuesday afternoon.
According to Gamboa in an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source, Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo was forced to fire on retired soldier Winston Ragos when the latter allegedly drew a gun following a heated argument.
“According sa report, he tried to draw his firearm. That’s why it resorted to the decision, which was really a judgment call on the part of Florendo on what to do at that very moment,” Gamboa said.
In another interview, Gamboa said due to previous incidents in which policemen were confronted with armed suspects, he had instructed the police not to give suspects a chance to hurt them in any way.
“When you are confronted with a person armed with a pistol, it’s equivalent is also a pistol,” Gamboa said in an interview with ABS CBN News Channel. “Marami na rin kasing namatay na pulis ang instruction ko talaga ay huwag kayong magpauna.”
“Nasa tao talaga ang pag-decide. Mabuti sana kung wala kaming experience na we’re confronted with an armed [suspect] tapos palagi kaming nanalo… there are a lot of circumstances kasi na talagang pag hindi mo inunahan, talagang madadali ka,” he added.
On April 21, police said Florendo and some police trainees from the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group were manning a control point in Maligaya Drive when Ragos arrived and shouted at them.
The policemen advised Ragos to go home but the latter refused.
Despite repeated warnings, the suspect
supposedly tried to draw his weapon, prompting Florendo to shoot him.
The incident sparked rage on social media as Ragos was said to have suffered
from post-traumatic disorder after completing his tour of duty during the
Marawi siege in 2017.
Gamboa, however, said that he will leave it up to officials to conduct a “thorough”
investigation on the facts of the case as an administrative probe on Florendo
is already underway, reiterating that complaints will be filed should
authorities find loopholes./PN
