PNP raising bail money for cops in deadly Mandaluyong shooting —Bato

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said the PNP is raising money so the 10 police officers involved in the Mandaluyong shooting mess could post bail.

Two people were killed last month when policemen opened fire on a vehicle mistakenly identified by barangay tanods as a getaway car.

In a television interview aired Friday, Dela Rosa said all 10 policemen have been charged for homicide and that it was the PNP's "moral responsibility" to raise funds for them to post bail.

He also said a warrant for their arrest has been released, which indicated the bail amount.

"Nagpu-put up kami ng pera ngayon kung paano matulungan ngayon 'yung mga pulis na 'yun makapag-bail so that's our moral responsibility dahil mga tao rin namin 'yon atsaka they were performing their duties during the time although pumalpak, nagkamali, but still, deep inside them, wala silang ill motive sa ginagawa nilang lakad na 'yon," he said.

Nevertheless, Bato admitted there was a failure on the side of the policemen.

"So they have to face the consequences of their actions. They were charged with double homicide and double frustrated homicide. The 10 of them, including 'yung dalawang barangay tanods," he said.

Asked about the victim's families who might not be able to accept the policemen's mistaken actions in the botched shooting.

"Sa amin, hindi acceptable rin 'yon [nangyari] pero shit happens," the PNP chief said

On the evening of December 28, 2017, Mandaluyong City watchmen and police officers allegedly opened fire on a Mitsubishi Adventure which they thought was a getaway car, but was in fact on the way to bring victim Jonalyn Ambaon, along with companion Jomar Hayawon, to the hospital

Ambaon and Hayawon died in the hail of gunshots, while their companions Eliseo Aluad Jr. and Danilo Santiago were wounded.

The 10 policemen and two barangay watchmen were ordered detained by the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office after the filing of homicide and frustrated homicide complaints.

National Police Commission (Napolcom) executive officer Rogelio Casurao on Thursday said the 10 police officers have been given five days to to answer the complaint filed against them. — Margaret Claire Layug/MDM, GMA News