MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed criminal charges before the Quezon City prosecutor's office against the police officer who shot and killed a former Philippine Army (PA) soldier near a quarantine checkpoint.
Speaking to newsmen Thursday, NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin confirmed that charges of murder, perjury and planting of evidence were filed against Master Sgt. Daniel Florendo and four police trainees over the death of 34-year-old Winston Ragos.
Florendo, who is assigned at the Fairview Police Station, also faces administrative investigation. He voluntarily surrendered and turned over his service firearm used in the shooting.
Florendo and four police trainees from the PNP Highway Patrol Group were manning a quarantine control point on Maligaya Drive, Barangay Pasong Putik on April 21 when Ragos approached and shouted at the police trainees.
He was asked by the police to go home and stay inside as he was violating the enhanced community quarantine but he ignored the authorities and identified himself as a former soldier.
Upon learning that Ragos was carrying a .38 caliber revolver loaded with ammunition inside his sling bag, Florendo drew his firearm and cautiously approached him.
The police officers ordered Ragos to yield peacefully but he allegedly attempted to pull out his handgun, prompting Florendo to shoot Ragos.
Ragos was rushed to Commonwealth Hospital but was declared dead at 5:57 p.m. of the same day.
Investigators recovered the sling bag and .38 caliber revolver loaded with four live ammunition without a serial number. (PNA)
