PNP examining cop’s firearm after allegedly involved in boy’s death

April 29, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) is conducting ballistic examination on the firearm of a police officer in Caloocan City who allegedly shot a six-year-old boy while having an encounter with an alleged drug suspect.

Police General Oscar Albayalde on Monday said if found positive, they will file administrative and criminal charges against Police Corporal Rocky Delos Reyes.

“Let's wait for the investigation. We already submitted the firearm of the officer and it will undergo ballistic examination and if found that he is the one who shot (the kid) then I am sure we will file not only administrative charges but criminal charges against our own police,” he said.

Albayalde assured the public that Delos Reyes will be made responsible for his deed.

“We want to assure the public that policeman (will be responsible) although there are still no findings yet that it was him who hit the victim. There was a shootout,” he said.

“What is hard sometimes is when someone was hit during crossfire with the suspect and the police, our assumption is that the police officer is the one who shot,” he added. Albayalde condoled with the family of the victim.

In a TV interview, Caloocan Police Community Precinct Station 5 chief Police Major Celso Sevilla said he met Delos Reyes before he surrendered Sunday evening.

“According to the police, I talked to him before he surrendered, he was chasing after a wanted person,” Sevilla said.

Sevilla said the suspect fired at Delos Reyes, prompting him to retaliate.

According to Sevilla, the police officer admitted he is the one who accidentally shot at the grandmother of the victim because of fear of being mobbed.

Delos Reyes is under the custodial facility of the Caloocan City police station. Ella Dionisio/DMS