Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles called for a recalibration of the Philippine National Police’s policy when engaging in operations to avoid unnecessary violence that may lead to the death of civilians.
This, as he bemoaned the lapses that led to the reportedly mistaken killing of a 15-year-old boy in Montalban town during a police operation.
“Hindi maaaring ‘shoot first’ ang policy ng kapulisan sa ganitong mga operasyon. Naiwasan sana ang pagkitil sa buhay ni John Frances Ompad kung hindi tila automatic response ang paggamit ng dahas sa mga operasyon.”
Nograles hit the perpetrators’ decision to use acts of violence as a first response.
“Hindi maaaring ‘shoot first’ ang policy ng kapulisan sa ganitong mga operasyon. Naiwasan sana ang pagkitil sa buhay ni John Frances Ompad kung hindi tila automatic response ang paggamit ng dahas sa mga operasyon,” Nograles said.
Ompad was reportedly shot by local police officer Cpl. Arnulfo Sabillo on Aug. 20.
Sabillo, along with a companion, was allegedly in plain clothes and drunk when they accosted Ompad’s older brother, John Ace, during an Oplan Sita in their neighborhood.
“Baka kailangang mag-back to school ang mga pulis natin dahil nalilimot nilang ‘to serve and protect’ ang motto nila. Parang paulit-ulit na lang ang ganitong balita na may namamatay na civilian dahil sa masyadong agresibo ang mga pulis natin,” Nograles said.
“Our officers are enforcers, and should never be executioners of those whose welfare they have sworn to uphold,” he added.
The lawmaker also expressed hope that an investigation by the Commission on Human Rights would be productive and result in full accountability for the alleged perpetrators.
“Umaasa po tayo na sa tulong ng imbestigasyon ng CHR ay mabigyang-linaw ang sitwasyon at mabigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ni John Frances,” Nograles said.
