CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Valeriano De Leon has ordered an impartial investigation into the fatal shooting incident in Sta. Rita, Pampanga that involved a policeman.
Federico Pineda Jr., resident of Bgy. San Matias, in the said town was on board his motorcycle and was flagged down by policemen responding to a robbery incident. But instead of stopping, a police report said he passed the policemen.
“One of the members of the responding team accidentally discharged his firearm and unintentionally hit Pineda,” the police report stated.
Pineda was brought to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.
De Leon identified the policeman involved in the fatal shooting as Corporal Eframe Ramirez, who said that he had mistaken Pineda to be a robbery suspect.
It was learned that the Ramirez and other policemen were responding to a robbery report that resulted to the arrest of one Joven Basera, also a resident of Bgy. San Matias. The robber barged into a store and seriously hurt three of the establishment’s occupants by hitting their heads with a metal thermos pot and carted away some P6,290 in cash.
Ramirez told his superiors that he mistook Pineda to be a companion of the arrested robber because he did not stop when flagged down.
But De Leon said the policeman will still be held liable for his action if found guilty after the conduct of investigation.
“Although the quick arrest of the suspect is an accomplishment for us, still we are saddened with the unfortunate incident and we are extending our condolences to the bereaved family. We assure everyone of a fair investigation and I have already ordered Col. Arnold Ibay, Pampanga Police director, to disarm Corporal Eframe Ramirez and put him under restrictive custody pending the conduct of an in-depth investigation. If found guilty, he will be meted with both administrative and criminal charges,” De Leon said.
The Central Luzon top cop added: “We do not condone any irregularities from our personnel. On the other hand, I am reminding the public to be extra vigilant and alert. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from your police and report any incident that will compromise your safety and security. We are always here to protect you.“
