Cop who killed Ragos liable – Napolcom

MANILA, Philippines — The police officer who shot dead retired Army soldier Winston Ragos at a quarantine checkpoint in Quezon City in April was found liable for “failure to exercise prudence” in handling the incident, the National Police Commision (Napolcom) said yesterday.

Napolcom vice chairman Rogelio Casurao said they found M/Sgt. Daniel Florendo Jr. liable, adding that there was no merit in shooting Ragos, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“We are completing our own findings as to the eligibility of the policemen who would be dismissed from the service. In a short period of time, we will be able to inform the public about the fate of these police officers who were also found administratively responsible for the death of Ragos,” Casurao said in an interview on ANC.

“The liability is of course in so far as their failure to exercise prudence in the handling of Ragos. It did not require drastic action to shoot him,” he added.

The Napolcom is still looking into whether Ragos was carrying a firearm, contrary to the claim of witnesses and family members who said that the ex-soldier’s bag only contained a water bottle and quarantine pass.

Police said they found a .38-caliber gun in Ragos’ sling bag. Witnesses said he was not armed during the incident.

The family of Ragos said the gun was planted by the police.

Last month, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed charges of murder and perjury against Florendo along with four police trainees Joy Flaviano, Arnel Fontillas Jr., Dante Fronda and Dalejes Gaciles.

A separate case of planting of evidence was filed against Florendo and S/Sgt. Hector Besas.

The NBI said Florendo violated police operational procedures, committed treachery and abused his superior strength, which are qualfifying circumstances for murder, when he fired two shots at Ragos.