PNP places cops in Rodriguez operation under restrictive custody

July 18, 2019

The head of the Philippine National Police ( PNP) ordered police officers involved in an anti-drug operation in Rodriguez, Rizal last June 30 which resulted in the death of a three-year old girl to be under restrictive custody.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Police General Oscar Albayalde said they are filing a homicide case against the police officer whose gun fired the shot that hit the child. 

All police officers of Rodriguez that were earlier relieved are now placed under restrictive custody at Calabarzon regional headquarters.

“They are not allowed to go out the camp without explicit permission coming from the regional director,” Albayalde said.

He said while the policeman who shot the child will face a homicide case, the remaining officers who were part of the investigation will face administrative charges.

Based on their investigation, Master Sgt. Conrado Cabigao, who died in the incident, shot the child on the head based on the upward trajectory from his firearm.

The PNP chief said they are focusing to the other officer who hit the child’s right thumb and left foot.

“What is the use of filing a case against a dead person? That’s one problem but we saw that another hit the child which is not coming from Cabigao himself. So we will concentrate on this, that’s why I said we will definitely filing case against few but administrative case against all of them including the chief of police,” said Albayalde.

The child was allegedly used as a “human shield” by his father during the police operation.

An autopsy report from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory showed the victim died from brain injury from a bullet.

In the same briefing, Police Brig. Gen. Rolando Hinanay, Director of the PNP Crime Laboratory said while no fragment was recovered at the scene, the bullet likely originated from a .9 mm pistol  as the child's entry wound is compatible with the firearm. Ella Dionisio/DMS