Cop faces homicide raps for fatally shooting Army veteran in checkpoint

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 24) — The Quezon City Police District on Friday said it has filed a homicide complaint against the police officer who fatally shot a former soldier at a quarantine checkpoint.

Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo on Tuesday shot Winston Ragos, a retired soldier who supposedly violated the enhanced community quarantine protocols. The cop claimed he thought Ragos was pulling out a gun from his bag after a shouting match near the checkpoint at Barangay Pasong Putik in Quezon City.

The Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines are conducting separate investigations into the incident. QCPD filed the complaint before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office for online inquest proceedings.

The National Bureau of Investigation said it is now looking into the incident.

Lt. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay, Army chief, requested the NBI to conduct "an impartial investigation" amid conflicting claims.

"Case already being investigated by Death Investigation Division of NBI but family of victim has yet to go to NBI for interview and statement taking," the NBI said in a statement.

PNP Chief General Archie Gamboa earlier defended Florendo, saying the police officer exercised a "judgment call" at the scene, as he assumed that Ragos tried to draw his firearm to fight back.

However, a witness said the victim did not have a gun inside his bag and only carried his quarantine pass. Another said that the police on site have been warned that Ragos was not in the right state of mind and asked them to stand down, but to no avail.

Witnesses said he was not carrying a firearm, only identification cards and his quarantine pass. But police said they recovered a .38 caliber pistol from Ragos' bag.

Ragos' mother said her 34-year-old son had been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and had been dealing with some mental health issues.