Photographer recalls how cops allegedly maltreated a pedicab driver in Quezon

For a photographer who has been covering the controversial drug campaign of the Duterte administration, it is no longer a surprise that a man will get shot, wounded, or worse, killed by authorities for allegedly fighting back ("nanlaban").

Ezra Acayan was one of the photographers who had heard the story of Roger Herrero, the 27-year-old pedicab driver who almost got killed allegedly in the hands of policemen in Agdangan, Quezon.

Aside from the narration of the incident that Herrero wrote on paper, Acayan learned about the case through the victim's wife.

"Covering it since the beginning, masasabi ko lang 'di na ko surprised. 'Yung pinaninindigan ng Agdangan police na legitimate 'yun, expected ko na 'yun," Acayan told GMA News Online.

Herrero's jaw got shattered after he was allegedly shot by cops who had accused him of being involved in a robbery incident.

Citing the victim's narration of the incident, Acayan said police had abducted the pedicab driver and forced him to admit that he was linked to other robbery incidents in the area.

Authorities have insisted that their operation against Herrero was legitimate as the latter was known to be a thief in their locality. Police also claimed that Herrero had allegedly resisted arrest when they tried to nab him.

Acayan noted that based on reports which they had obtained, the number of killing incidents in the province went up.

"There was a spike in killings in Quezon which caught our attention. Dito namin natisod ang kaso ni Roger," he said. "Prior to this, hindi ko kilala talaga si Roger."

Acayan had set up a funding page for Herrero who needs to undergo an operation.

He also wants to help the victim's family to finance their other needs. Acayan said Roger's wife only stays at home to attend to their four children.

"He will undergo operation in a few days. Nailipat na siya sa mas maayos na ospital and he is getting the care he needs," Acayan said.

The NBI in Lucena has started a probe into the incident. —KG, GMA News