MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Monday said it is now trying to ascertain the true identity of one of the two male persons who were earlier found dead in Novaliches, Quezon City.

The victims were initially identified by police as Manuel Santiago and Louie Tagapia.

This runs contrary to claim of the Anakpawis and other militant groups that one of the victims is Anakpawis chairperson and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Randall Echanis.

QCPD director Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo said the two individuals’ identities were verified through identification cards found in their apartment and the landlord’s statement.

“Manuel Santiago talaga ang pagkakilala sa kanya ng may-ari eh. Tinanong namin na ‘May nagsasabi ngayon na ito si Randy, ano ba ‘yun, Echanis’. Sabi niya, ‘Ay hindi, kasi ang pakilala n’yan sa akin nung umupa dito…” nag-issue nga s’ya ng statement na Manuel talaga ‘yun,” he said.

Montejo said it is open to coordinating with Anakpawis and the victims’ kin to confirm their identities.

“’Yung mga kamag-anak n’ya, ini-encourage din natin na pumunta sa CIDU para mag-issue ng statement, eh wala pa rin dumating kaya hangga’t wala pa doon muna kami sa na-recover na ID at sinabi ng may-ari ng bahay,” he said.

Currently, police investigators are looking at robbery and personal grudges as possible motives for the killing as one of the victims, Tagapia, was found to have sported a Sputnik Gang tattoo.

“Unang tinitingnan natin ay ‘yung mga modus ng akyat-bahay… Baka kakilala n’ya, hindi rin natin masabi, baka nagising ito,” Montejo said.

“Isa rin sa tinitingnan natin ay ‘yung si Louie Tagapia, may tattoo na Sputnik gang. Kalalabas lang din pala nito, ang kaso ay illegal drugs, parang personal grudge sa kanya,” he added.

Montejo also asked parties not to instantly accuse police of being behind the slay of the victims.

“Malayo eh kasi wala namang pulis na pumapatay na saksak eh, anong ginagawa n’ya sa baril n’ya? Lalapitan pa n’ya eh di lalo s’yang delikado,” he said.

He also clarified earlier reports that the incident was a result of police operation as there was no coordination made from any QCPD unit. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Lea Ylagan)

MANILA, Philippines – A police officer who shot dead a retired soldier, believed to have been suffering from mental issues, during an altercation at a checkpoint may face criminal and administrative charges, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said.

QCPD director Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo said the police trainee, identified as Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo, is now being investigated for his action in the incident.

In a video that went viral on social media, a man can be heard arguing with police officers manning a checkpoint along Maligaya Drive in Barangay Pasong Putik in Quezon City. The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 21 at around 2 p.m.

The man was later identified as Winston Ragos, a former military officer who retired from service after he was diagnosed with a mental disorder. Earlier reports said that he was last assigned in the field during the Marawi siege.

The footage also showed Florendo pointing a gun at Ragos while other law enforcers asked him to surrender to authorities.

Ragos, however, did not heed their call, and instead faced the police officer and acted as if he was drawing something from his sling bag.

Montejo said Ragos’ action have prompted Florendo to shoot him twice.

The victim was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead.

Based on initial investigation, Montejo said Ragos allegedly cussed at the policemen manning the checkpoint after he was told to head home for supposedly violating the enhanced community quarantine protocol.

Montejo said that based on initial information, it appears that Florendo only made a judgment call during the incident when Ragos acted to draw something from his bag.

Police claimed that Ragos was carrying a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber hand gun from his sling bag.

“Masasabi kasi nating ‘judgement call’ yung naging aksyon ng ating pulis laban sa suspek na armado din ng baril kaya nagawa niyang paputukan,” Montejo said.

Witnesses and the family of Ragos, however, claimed the victim was not armed during the confrontation.

With these conflicting claims, Montejo said an investigation is now being conducted on the case.

Florendo has surrendered his service firearm as he undergoes administrative probe.

Philippine National Police chief General Archie Gamboa has expressed sympathy to the bereaved family of Ragos, and assured a thorough investigation into the incident. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Lea Ylagan)

MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Thursday said it will pursue the filing of charges against 21 individuals who were arrested for staging a rally to demand aid amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.

The QCPD said the residents violated the Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, the law on Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Concern, Presidential Proclamation No. 922, and Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code for disobedience to persons in authority.

The QCPD said the 21 individuals will undergo inquest proceedings online on Friday.

“Sa ngayon po, ipa-file po natin ‘yung kaso laban sa kanila,” QCPD Spokesperson Police Lieutenant Johanna Sazon said.

The arrested individuals, who are residents of Barangay Bagong Pag-asa, were apparently part of dozens of protesters who formed a barricade along EDSA service road on Wednesday afternoon to appeal for assistance from the local government.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte earlier appealed to release the residents for humanitarian reasons.

But she assured she will abide by President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive not to tolerate any acts that are in violation of the law, especially amid the COVID-19 quarantine.

“I made an appeal for their release only for humanitarian reasons yesterday and this was duly noted but denied, and it is not my place to obstruct justice. I was told they were in clear violation of Republic Act #11469 otherwise known as the Bayanihan Heal As One Act,” Belmonte said in a statement.

“The directive of the President in his statement last night was very clear that acts such as those they allegedly committed will not be tolerated and therefore I fully abide,” she added.

The mayor earlier assured her constituents that there is a continuous distribution of relief packs.

Authorities also appealed for the public’s patience and understanding over the delayed movement of relief assistance. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Harlene Delgado)