15-year-old killed after getting hit by cop who shot his brother

A 15-year-old boy was killed when he was hit in the abdomen after a policeman fired in the direction of his brother who was being chased in Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal on Sunday.

The victim was identified as John Francis Ompad, 15. He was rushed to the Ynares Memorial Hospital in Rodriguez.

He was declared medically dead while undergoing treatment at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City, where he was transferred.

Initial investigation showed that John Francis' brother John Ace, 19, was riding his motorcycle on the way home when suspects Police Corporal Arnulfo Gabriel Sabillo and a certain Jeffrey Beluan Baguio flagged him down.

A motorcycle chase ensued and in the end, John Ace took off his helmet and threw it at the suspects.

Sabillo allegedly drew his firearm and shot four times in John Ace’s direction but hit John Francis who emerged from their house.

The incident happened weeks after 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar was shot and killed by policemen in Navotas in a case of mistaken identity.

According to the Rizal Provincial Police (PPO), Sabillo, who was currently assigned at the Compac 5 of Rodriguez town, and Baguio were arrested and have since been detained at the Rodriguez Municipal Police Station.

They are facing homicide and attempted homicide charges.

Administrative charges will also be filed against the involved Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel.

Meanwhile, the PNP personnel of Compac 5 were administratively relieved from their post as the investigation was ongoing.

Rizal PPO said the incident is an “isolated case”.

“We are saddened to learn about the incident; such acts of violence have no place in our society; we strongly condemn the death of the victim, Mr. John Francis Ompad,” Rizal PPO Officer-in-Charge Police Colonel Rainerio De Chavez.

Cop drunk, in civilian clothes

According to Jun Veneracion's report on "24 Oras," John Ace said he did not stop when he was flagged down because the suspects were drunk and were in civilian clothes.

“Nagpakilala po na pulis. Mga lasing po kasi tapos naka-civilian kaya di ko talaga inisip na mga pulis. Iniisip ko lang po mga carnapper o ho-holdapin po ako eh,” John Ace said.

(They identified themselves as police but they were drunk and in civilian clothes. I did not think they were cops. I thought they were carnappers or holdappers.)

“Pagbato ko po ng helmet, nadaplisan po 'yung backride tapos dun po bumagsak na rin 'yung motor. Pagtayo na po ng driver, dun na po bumunot ng baril tsaka po ko pinagpapuptukan,” he added.

(When I tossed the helmet, the backrider was hit. The driver drew his firearm and shot.)

The bereaved family is seeking justice for the minor’s death.

“Nung nakita ko, butas na ang tiyan eh. Ang dami ng dugo na kumalat. Parang natulala ako,” Napoleon Ompad, the victim’s father, said.

(When I saw him, there was a lot of blood. I was shocked.)

“Bigyan sana ng hustisya yung anak ko. Hindi biro magpalaki eh. Iniingatan namin. Kahit kagat ng lamok, hindi namin..barilin lang. Pulis pa ang bumaril. 'Yun ang pangarap nya eh,” he said.

(I hope justice will be served. It is not easy to raise a child. We took care of him and they just shot him. Worse, the suspects were police officers. It was his dream to be a cop.)

Meanwhile, the Rizal PPO is awaiting the results of the suspects’ medical examination to determine if they were under the influence of alcohol during the time of the incident.

They also said Sabillo violated several provisions under the PNP Operational Procedures when he conducted “Oplan Sita” without wearing proper uniform, and when he fired shots at the victims.

“Binato siya ng helmet, ang problema don sinuklian niya ng pagputok. 'Yun ang mali don dahil nagkakaroon ng excessive use of force,” said Rodriguez MP Chief Police Lieutenant Ruben Piquero.

(He was hit by a helmet and he retaliated with a gunshot. That’s a violation because there was an excessive use of force.)

“Ang sabi naman niya self-defense. Ang kwento don 'yung area napakadaming tao non. Madaming tao nagiinuman. Sabi niya nagbigay sya ng warning shot,” Piquero said.

(He told me it was self-defense because there were a lot of drunk people there.)

The municipal police promised that no special treatment would be given to Sabillo. —DVM/NB, GMA Integrated News