THE police today assured a thorough probe of the shooting incident in Manila that involved a barangay tanod and a man reportedly suffering from mental illness.
The assurance was given by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Guillermo Eleazar.
The suspect in the incident, barangay tanod Cesar Panlaqui, is already in police custody. Based on initial reports, Panlaqui gunned down victim Eduardo Geñoga, who was allegedly making noise during curfew hours in Tondo.
“The barangay tanod is already in the custody of the Manila Police District, which is preparing to file appropriate charges against the suspect to make him answerable for his crime against a kababayan in Manila,” said PGen. Eleazar.
“Among those to be investigated is how come the barangay tanod is armed and if his firearm is registered. If it turns out his firearm is unlicensed, then he will face an additional charge of illegal possession of firearm,” he added.
PGen Eleazar expressed deep sympathy to the family of Geñoga and promised that justice will be served for his death.
Following the incident, PGen Eleazar reminded all law enforcers of the rules of engagement and other operational procedures of the PNP, especially that thousands of policemen have been deployed to enforce the quarantine rules.
“The incident may not be related to enforcing the curfew but just the same, we remind our personnel to always observe our protocols especially in dealing with civilians, particularly in the enforcement of the ECQ in Metro Manila and other areas,” said PGen. Eleazar.
The Chief PNP also ordered police commanders to make sure that no barangay tanods would be allowed to carry guns especially in the enforcement of quarantine rules.
Barangay tanods are among the force multipliers in the implementation of quarantine rules in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.