Birthday gift for slain boy: Caloocan cop’s dismissal

MANILA, Philippines — The dismissal of a Caloocan policeman from service over the death of a six-year-old boy may be the family’s only birthday gift to their son for his upcoming birthday.

In an interview with The STAR yesterday, Jessa Habal expressed relief that Cpl. Rocky delos Reyes will no longer receive his benefits as a police officer after being sacked for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer for her son’s death.

The Caloocan Regional Trial Court Branch 128 also ordered Delos Reyes’ trial for murder for the boy’s death, and attempted murder for shooting the foot of Gian’s grandmother in an attempt to escape.

“I’m happy because he has been removed of his rights as a cop. He might just wash his hands from responsibility if he remains a cop and commits crime again. You can’t trust a person like that who could kill an innocent child,” said Jessa, who missed Gian as her helper in washing clothes.

Gian, who was killed with a stray bullet traced to Delos Reyes’ service firearm, would have been seven years old on June 23.

The family would be celebrating the boy’s birthday at the cemetery with news that his alleged killer would face trial.

 “We consider it a blessing that the police officer will face trial just in time for his birthday,” said Gian’s grandmother Elsa.

“He deserved what he got. His case should be a warning to other police officers who are trigger-happy,” she added.

Besides murder and attempted murder, Delos Reyes was charged with violations of the elections gun ban for carrying a .45 caliber pistol without a permit to carry during the campaign period.