Complaint vs. QC cop in Ragos killing returned due to lack of evidence, Gamboa says

The criminal complaint filed against Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo for the fatal shooting of Corporal Winston Ragos was returned to the police "for further investigation," Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Gamboa said Monday.

"'Yung kaniyang criminal case was returned for further investigation ng piskalya. Ang comment ng fiscal is that may mga pagkukulang pa on the part of evidence yata that would not warrant the filing of appropriate case," Gamboa said in a radio interview.

"Kaya binalik sa kapulisan for further investigation to gather more evidence." 

Gamboa also said the investigation for Florendo's administrative case is still ongoing.

The April 21 incident stoked fears of police abuse in time of the enhanced community quarantine being implemented as a measure against the COVID-19.

Florendo and some police trainees from the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group were manning a control point at Maligaya Drive in Fairview, Quezon City, when Ragos, who was diagnosed with mental illness, arrived and reportedly shouted at them.

The policemen advised Ragos to go home since an enhanced community quarantine was in place, but he allegedy refused to do so, resulting in an altercation where he was fatally shot by Florendo. Police said Ragos was armed, a claim refuted by his relatives.

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) is also investigating the incident. GMA News Online has asked NAPOLCOM for updates regarding the status of the investigation but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

The Philippine Army also asked the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the incident.

Florendo was slapped with a homicide complaint over Ragos' death. --Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News