A Fallen Hero by the Fallen Police System

Posted by on
Agony and rage are what brought the family of the fallen soldier to call for justice against the unruly act of the a policeman and the official statements of the PNP justifying it.
A fallen hero as it is when a retired military man fell onto his own blood when shot by an active police officer in an attempt to succumb his disruptive behavior amid strict lockdown and community quarantine along Maligaya Drive in Pasong Putik, Quezon City on Wednesday (April 22, 2020).
The name was Winston Ragos, an ex military corporal whose last active duty was the Marawi siege in 2017. Suffering from Post–Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD probably caused by series of warshocks from his past military detainments, he was gone amok in the middle of the lockdown with no clear underlying explanation as to why he ended up on the street but only the information of his mental condition. Alarmed by possible danger he could cause to the public, a group of police officers with one of them pointing a gun at him and acting as the negotiator, tried to convince him into laying down his alleged pistol from his slingbag until he finally pulled something from it that he was twice shot.
An Act of Self-Defense?
“Sa mga sitwasyon na andiyan yung panganib, eh dalawang bagay lang po yan. Ang buhay mo o ang buhay ng iba kung kinakailangan, pero as much as possible talagang pinapakita natin ang maximum tolerance.” “Yun pong ginawa niya ay masasabi na through his self-defense instinct ang mga pangyayaring ‘yun pero ‘yun po ay atin pang iimbestigahan.” These were two statements of PNP directorial staff chief Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar clearly signifying the act of self-defense as the reason of shooting. However, the legal sector showed disagreement with his sentiment.
Atty. Diokno in his Twitter’s main thread was backed by netizens as well as his fellow legal practitioners in the country.
Legally speaking, it was a clear violation of the law, and Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo Jr. is expected to confront the criminal case at the court.
Depiction of Duterte’s “SHOOT TO KILL” Order
Another point that should be considered: the President’s go signal to shoot violators of the enhanced community quarantine. This qualifies it. The confidence of policemen to set aside what they learned from criminology education regarding criminal law just because their commander-in-chief says so is an alarming sign of the failure of the police system to protect the public. It is no question that the chain of command is a national mandate of all the armed forces, but the constitution is more powerful.
Considered Extrajudicial Killing
It is true that extrajudicial killing has already been a norm among the police force since the start of the administration’s war-on drug campaign, and it prevails today, even more intensive that they now have one solid excuse, which is the fear of COVID-19. Guanzon also stated that the death of Ragos is considered murder. Personally, I think so because the shooting looked intentional with two gunshots recorded and the policemen did not rescue him when he was catching his breath after being shot.
Many have yet to prove that our police system is failing its people (not totally affecting those who in the higher social and economic hierarchy) but these are just the heaviest arguments that can be thrown at the so-called public defender. The tagline “To Serve and Protect” is once again challenged by such incident.
How about you? What is your stand on this issue? Tell us in the comment section below.
Photo Credits:

Comments

Post a Comment