Army, PNP join hands to investigate death of ex-soldier in QC checkpoint

April 23, 2020

by: Robina Asido


The Philippine Army  and the Philippine National Police joined hands to   investigate the death of a former soldier who was shot by a policeman in a Quezon City quarantine checkpoint last Tuesday.

"Lt. Gen Gilbert Gapay, commanding general, Philippine Army ordered an investigation to be conducted by the Army Judge Advocate in coordination with PNP (Philippine National Police) in order that justice be given to the death of (Private First  Class Winston) Ragos," Col. Ramon Zagala, Philippine Army spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday.

Zagala said Ragos was given a complete disability discharge from his military service, separation package and other assistance, after being diagnosed with a mental disorder (PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) on January 2017.

"To a soldier, the wounds of war are not just physical but also mental and their scars are not always visible," he said.

Zagala said "the Philippine Army seeks awareness on the plight of former soldiers struggling with mental problems."

"We want to find out because we have more CDDs ...complete disability discharge. So we don't want this to happen again. We're not judging the police. The police made a decision. He made a decision, but we also want to look into it to protect our CDD," he said.

"Even though they are no longer soldiers, they continue fighting a silent and lifelong battle," he added.

Zagala said the Philippine Army sympathizes with the family of the former soldier.

"The Philippine Army is saddened over the loss of its  former soldier, Private First  Class Winston Ragos, who died in a shooting incident last Tuesday, April 21 in Quezon City. We sincerely condole with his family for this unfortunate event," he said.

Ragos was shot by Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo Jr. assigned at Fairview Police Station (PS 5).

Florendo and four police trainees from the Highway Patrol Group were  manning a quarantine control point along Maligaya Drive Brgy. Pasong Putik when the incident occurred around 2:30 pm last April 21. DMS