Police claim accidental discharge; witness heard 2–3 shots in Pineda shooting

The shooting of a construction worker who was falsely believed to be the suspect in a robbery case was not accidental, contrary to the claim of Pampanga police, a witness said Monday.

According to Jun Veneracion’s “24 Oras” report, a witness to a cop’s shooting of construction worker Federico Pineda Jr. said he heard two to three shots fired. 

“Sumisigaw siya [pulis] na, ‘Lumabas ka diyan, mamamatay ka na. May tama ka na,’” the witness recalled.

In contrast, Sta. Rita police chief Police Captain Renemer James Pornia said the shooting by Patrolman Eframe Ramirez was merely an accident.

“Accidentally during the chase, si Patrolman Ramirez, habang hawak hawak niya ‘yung baril accidentally na-discharge niya ‘yung firearm niya,” he claimed.

Pineda was killed just hours after he and his family celebrated the seventh birthday of his youngest child.

“Excited na excited ‘yung anak ko kasi sabi niya, ‘Ma may family picture na tayo.’ Ngayon, ‘yung first family picture namin, ‘yun din ‘yung last family picture,” his wife Carla said.

CCTV footage showed Pineda on a motorcycle around 9 p.m.

Police said the victim was tailed by Ramirez because the policeman believed Pineda matched the description of a man involved in a recent holdup.

Authorities also claimed that a chase ensued after Pineda refused to stop his vehicle.

The victim’s family, however, said Pineda’s top at the time—a white sleeveless shirt—did not match the holdup suspect’s description of a white t-shirt.

Pineda was rushed to a hospital but later died.

“Galit [ako] dahil sinasabi lang na hindi sinasadya, ganyan. Kasi wala namang ginagawa ‘yung asawa ko na masama e. Hindi naman siya lumaban, wala naman siyang armas,” Carla said.

Ramirez has been disarmed on the orders of Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda.

The suspect has also undergone inquest procedures and will face charges for homicide as well as an administrative case to see if he followed rules of engagement.

“We have a very strong case against him and the instruction of the SILG [Interior Secretary Eduardo Año] sa amin is to implement the same procedure of having him dismissed immediately within 30 days,” Philippine National Police chief Police General Debold Sinas said.

The cop is currently detained at the Sta. Rita police station, along with the actual robbery suspect he had been looking for. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News