Curfew violator shot dead

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to look into the killing of a curfew violator, said to be mentally ill, in Manila over the weekend.

Eduardo Geñoga, 59, a scavenger, was reportedly shot dead by Cesar Panlaqui, a barangay peace and security officer in Tondo.

Geñoga was found dead with a gunshot to the chest along Tayuman street by two policemen who heard a gunshot.

The victim was found sprawled on the pavement with toy guns in his possession, police said.

Geñoga’s brother told investigators that the victim was suffering from a mental illness.

Panlaqui was arrested by police on Sunday.

Closed-circuit television footage caught Panlaqui firing his gun at the victim, who was already walking away.

The suspect claimed that Geñoga had lunged at him.

Panlaqui said he shot the victim for creating a ruckus during curfew hours.

“Pinapalo niya ‘yung mga pinto, ‘yung mga gate. Natutulog na ang mga residente eh. Sinigawan ko siya, ‘Hoy, mali ang ginagawa mo,’ sabi ko sa kanya. Ayon hinabol niya ako,” Panlaqui told GMA News.

Asked why he was armed, Panlaqui said the gun was for self-defense against criminals in the area.

He said he only intended to scare the curfew violator with the gunshot.

“Pang-depensa ko talaga ‘yon sa sarili ko kasi sa lugar namin, maraming masama, mga addict,” Panlaqui said.

The Manila Police District (MPD) will investigate why the barangay tanod was in possession of an unlicensed gun with no serial number.

MPD spokesman Capt. Philipp Ines said Panlaqui was charged with murder because he used his “strength to kill the victim, who was only armed with wooden sticks and improvised toy guns.”

Ines added that Panlaqui knew the victim, who was known for roaming around the area due to his mental illness.

Police denied that the victim’s death was another case of abuse by law enforcers during the enhanced community quarantine or ECQ.

“This is an isolated case. This can happen even without ECQ,” Ines told The STAR.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año directed the PNP to determine the cause of the incident, according to DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya.

“First of all, did the barangay watchman have a license to carry a firearm? Did he coordinate with the police?” Malaya said.

Malaya said the DILG would file charges against Panlaqui if evidence warrants.

Last June, President Duterte said he wanted civilian volunteers to carry firearms and help in the fight against criminality.