Hontiveros seeks probe into death of 3-year-old Myca killed during buy-bust ops

Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution seeking a probe into the death of three-year-old Myca Ulpina who was killed during a buy-bust operation in Rodriguez, Rizal as she welcomed the apology of Senator Ronald dela Rosa over his ‘shit happens’ remark regarding the incident.

“Naghain ako ng resolusyon para imbestigahan ang pagkapaslang kay three-year-old Myca Ulpina sa isang buy-bust operations,” Hontiveros said during the weekly Kapihan sa Senado.

She said the death of innocent lives should not be accepted as a reality in police operations.

“Hindi maaaring maging business as usual at everyday reality ang pagkamatay ng mga inosenteng buhay lalo na ang mga bata sa ilalim ng war on drugs ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte,” she said.

“I’m glad that Senator Doroy dela Rosa apologized for his remarks. So with that settled, I hope the Senate can now look into the circumstances that led to that child’s death,” she added, using a nickname of the senator.

Hontiveros expressed hope the investigation to be conducted by the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, expected to be chaired by Dela Rosa, will help institutionalize stricter terms of engagement and protocols in the Philippine National Police to prevent deaths of innocent people.

Hontiveros said the probe should also be able to determine those responsible for the death of Myca and they will be held liable.

“Dapat bukod sa findings, magkaroon ng rekomendasyon at i-implement ‘yung mga rekomendasyon kung paano siguruhin talaga ang kaligtasan ng mga bata sa ating mga law enforcement operations,” she added.

Ulpina was killed on June 30 during a police operation targeting her father, Renato Dolofrina. Her father was also killed in the operation.

Police said Dolofrina used the three-year-old as a human shield, but the girl's mother said it was not true.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday said he has ordered the Internal Affairs Service to take the lead in probing the death of Ulpina. —KG, GMA News