Cop shot dead by colleague, NCRPO says

A personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion was shot dead by another police officer last week in Taguig City, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Monday.

Authorities identified the victim as Police Executive Master Sergeant Edwin San Joaquin, 47, assigned at the 8th Mobile Force Company of the RMFB-NCRPO.

Police narrated that on April 16, the victim was having a conversation with a duty radio operator when suspect Police Corporal Bryan Jorkis Quinagoran, 28, suddenly appeared and shot him.

The suspect was also assigned 8th Mobile Force Company, police said.

The victim tried to ask for help but the suspect ran after him and shot him again.

San Joaquin was rushed to Parañaque Doctors Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Police seized one caliber 9MM pistol Glock 17 Gen 4, two pieces fired cartridge cases, and one fired bullet from the suspect.

The suspect was suffering from a major depressive disorder and has been taking anti-psychotic and anti-depressant drugs for one week already, according to the NCRPO.

The NCRPO said Quinagoran was supposed to pay a visit to his family in Cagayan province prior to the incident.

NCRPO chief Police Major General Debold Sinas said a probe is already ongoing as regards the incident.

"We are looking into a lot of possible scenarios that may have driven Police Corporal Quinagoran to do this to his senior officer. Guaranteed that we will fully investigate this case and that justice will be given to the family of our fallen comrade,” Sinas said.

Quinagoran is presently detained at Taguig City Custodial Facility. A case of murder was already filed against him.

Sinas, meanwhile, ensured that the mental health of NCRPO cops was one of his priorities.

"Our personnel are our most important resource. This is why we want to ensure that they get to have the support that they deserve to fight the unseen enemy," Sinas said.

"It is our obligation to guarantee that they have enough rest, nourishment, and psychological abetment to withstand the challenges ahead," he added. —AOL, GMA News