HPG cop in mistaken encounter faces more raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Muntinlupa City police will file an additional charge against a member of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) who was involved in an alleged mistaken encounter in Alabang after a 10-year-old girl wounded during the incident died Friday, an official said yesterday.

Senior Police Officer 1 Aniceto Santiago will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide for the death of Heart Macapagal, who was hit in the head during the exchange of gunfire Monday night, city police chief Senior Superintendent Roque Vega said.

Santiago, who is still confined in a hospital for gunshot wounds he sustained during the reported mistaken encounter, is also facing a murder charge for the death of Michael Maranan, 33, of Fabian Compound.

Santiago’s fellow HPG member, SPO1 Macano Romano, was also killed in the shooting.

Aside from Santiago, Police Officer 3 Mersar Rapirap of the Muntinlupa City police; Aileen Duran, 30; and Anna Loraine Maranan were also wounded in the shooting and brought to the Ospital ng Muntinlupa.

Witnesses said Maranan was walking in the compound when he was shot by Romano and Santiago, who were riding a motorcycle and wearing civilian clothes.

Rapirap, who was on his way home and was also in civilian clothes, saw the commotion, responded and shot at the two police officers, thinking they were motorcycle-riding criminals, investigators said.

He and the two policemen traded shots, which resulted in Romano’s death and the wounding of Rapirap, Santiago and the three bystanders.

Anna Loraine said they were already holding a wounded Maranan but the men on the motorcycle still kept shooting.

The incident caught the attention of police officers in the area. They responded and later identified the two HPG operatives.

Maranan’s mother, Teresita, questioned the legality of the operation. She said the lawmen – who were not in proper uniform – shot her son instead of arresting him.

Vega said Rapirap was also disarmed after the shooting. Rapirap was also told to explain why he was carrying a gun while in civilian attire, which violates a gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections for the Oct. 28 barangay polls.

Vega said if Rapirap’s explanation is not acceptable, he will be subjected to a pre-charge investigation.