CHR probes death of Manila teen

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is conducting its own investigation of the death of a 13-year old boy who was allegedly shot by a policeman last week.

In a statement issued yesterday, the CHR said the investigation being conducted is in line with its mandate to protect the rights of the vulnerable sector, including Aldrin Pineda – a minor – who was shot dead in Tondo, Manila on March 3.

It said CHR investigators immediately went to the Manila Police District to request a copy of the spot report of the incident.

They also interviewed witnesses to the incident, including Pineda’s grandmother and friend who were with him when he was shot in front of Vitas slaughterhouse.

“The investigation is currently ongoing to ensure immediate delivery of justice for the victim,” said the commission.

Earlier, Police Officer 2 Omar Malinao Formentera, who is assigned to the Smokey Mountain police community precinct, surfaced to explain his side.

He claimed to have tripped and accidentally pulled the trigger of his gun, hitting the boy in the stomach.

CHR commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana reportedly expressed dismay over the officer’s explanation.

“Why did it fire? You tripped and then it fired? What does it mean, (that the gun is) ready to fire?” she was quoted in Filipino in an ABS-CBN report.

Gana, who heads the CHR task force on extrajudicial killings, stressed the need for an independent investigation of the incident.