After Ragos' death, Army orders a check on soldiers' mental health to help them

Philippine Army commanding general Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay ordered a check on soldiers' mental health after the case of retired soldier Corporal Winston Ragos surfaced.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV on Sunday, Army Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Ramon Zagala added that Gapay also wants to revisit the trauma risk management of their organization.

“Ang utos ng ating commanding general ay hanapin pa ang mga katulad ni Corporal Ragos. At bigyan ng pansin at tulungan,” Zagala said.

“Pati na ‘yung programa namin within the organization na tumitingin sa mga nangyayaring post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pinapa-review. Katulad ng aming pagtugon sa trauma risk management,” he added.

The 34-year-old Ragos was shot by police at a checkpoint in Barangay Pasong Putik in Quezon City on April 21.

Investigation showed that some police personnel were manning the checkpoint on Maligaya Drive when Ragos arrived shouting at them.

The police officers told him to go home due to the enhanced community quarantine, but Ragos allegedly ignored them and identified himself as a former member of the Philippine Army.

Ragos allegedly attempted to pull out a weapon, prompting Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo to shoot. The former soldier was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

His sister however said Ragos was suffering from schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Gapay has ordered an investigation into Ragos’ death, to be conducted by the Army Judge Advocate in coordination with the Philippine National Police.

The Army also sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation in the probe.

“Sila na nagha-handle ng investigation. We did our part by helping our retired soldier na sa tingin namin hindi nabigyan ng fair chance,” Zagala said.

“We don’t want to create any animosity with PNP, but we desire only is what is fair anfd what is the truth,” he added.

Ragos was given military honors and was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Sunday. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News