Sinas says cop who mistook man for robbery suspect to face criminal, admin cases

January 4, 2021

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said the cop who mistook someone for a robbery suspect during a police operation in Sta. Rita, Pampanga last January 2 will face criminal and administrative cases.

In a press briefing, General Debold Sinas said the PNP filed homicide cases against Corporal Eframe Ramirez.

“There was an operation because someone reported a robbery incident… While they were responding, one of the operatives thought the victim was the suspect and shot him...the victim died,” Sinas said.

“The cop was already disarmed and a homicide case was filed against him,” he added.

Sinas ordered the Central Luzon regional police to focus on the case.

“I instructed the regional director of PRO3 to conduct an administrative case (against the police officer),” he said.

Sinas said he also directed the chief of police of Sta. Rita to coordinate with the family of Federico Pineda Jr and assure them of police assistance.

“We don’t condone such acts,” he said.

Sinas reminded all police officers there should be an imminent threat first before they fire at a suspect.

A report from the Central Luzon regional police said Pineda who happened to be at the place of incident was flagged down but did not stop.

“Unfortunately, one of the members of the responding team accidentally discharged his firearm and unintentionally hit (Pineda),” it said.

Brig. Gen Val de Leon, the regional director, said Ramirez is under police custody pending the conduct of an in-depth investigation.

“If found guilty, he will be met with both administrative and criminal charges. We do not condone any irregularities from our personnel,” he said.

De Leon said the Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS) is conducting on its own, an investigation.

In a statement, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the CHR Region III, is launching a motu proprio investigation into the death of Pineda, a construction worker.

"Pending the results of our own investigation, we urge the police force to be more discerning on the use of force and firearms during police operations," said Jacqueline Ann de Guia, CHR spokesperson.

"As detailed in their own Philippine National Police revised operational procedures, the use of excessive force is categorically prohibited. And should it be necessary, warning must be first issued and the force to be employed should only be to neutralise resistance and subdue clear and imminent danger," she added.

CHR reminded police officers of their duty to serve the public and protect life and property. 

"Death should not be the first option. For in the end, the goal of law enforcement should be to protect human rights and dignity and never to violate them," De Guia said. Ella Dionisio/DMS