Rodriguez police chief relieved from post over death of 15-year-old boy

The chief of Rodriguez Police in Rizal has been relieved from his post over command responsibility following the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday.

“Police Lieutenant Colonel Ruben Piquero was administratively relieved as Chief of Police, Rodriguez, Rizal for command responsibility,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo told GMA News Online in a message.

Piquero has been replaced by Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnulfo Silencio, who will serve as the officer-in-charge of Rodriguez Police, according to Fajardo.

A report on Super Radyo dzBB by Mark Makalalad said Piquero has accepted his removal from position as it is part of the investigation on the incident.

On August 24, 15-year-old John Francis Ompad was killed after Police Corporal Arnulfo Gabriel Sabillo fired in the direction of the teenager’s brother who was being chased by policemen in Barangay San Isidro in Rodriguez.

Based on initial investigation, John Francis' brother, John Ace, 19, was riding his motorcycle on the way home when Sabillo and a certain Jeffrey Beluan Baguio flagged him down.

A motorcycle chase ensued. At one point, John Ace took off his helmet and threw it at men pursuing him.

Sabillo allegedly drew his firearm, shot in John Ace’s direction four times, and hit John Francis, who came out of their house.

The suspects have been arrested and are facing charges of homicide and attempted homicide.

According to Makalalad's report on Super Radyo dzBB, Baguio tested positive for methamphetamine while Sabillo tested negative based on their drug test results.

Both tested negative for gunpowder nitrate in paraffin tests, the report said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News