A fair investigation sought

The Philippine Army is seeking the NBI's help to conduct a fair investigation into the killing of Winston Ragos, a former soldier who was undergoing treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is after the perception that some high-ranking PNP officials seem to have pre-judged the investigation and are ready to absolve Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo Jr. of any wrongdoing based on their media interviews. They insist Florendo made a "judgment call". If that is acceptable to the PNP, what else is there to file against Florendo? The PNP is surely avoiding the use of the term "nanlaban" which technically is what Ragos supposedly did, prompting Florendo to shoot him.

For the Philippine Army to ask for an impartial investigation into the shooting speaks volumes. Let's just say they have questions. Two videos have already surfaced on the internet. The CCTV footage of the road and apparent footage of a police trainee. Only Florendo was armed and the four trainees were merely watching the incident unfold. They did nothing but shout at Ragos. In the police video, it was evident that Ragos held up his arms for quite a long time while Florendo already had his gun aimed at him. If there are four trainees, couldn't they have overpowered him while his arms were raised and Florendo concentrating his aim? They could have easily handcuffed him at this point.

And what exactly was the reason for Florendo to pull out his gun on Ragos? When did Florendo determine Ragos was armed and dangerous? Was it at the checkpoint? Did they search his bag and see the gun? If they knew he was armed, why not detain him right at the checkpoint? And there is the question of whether or not that gun exists. According to Napolcom, the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) should secure all the evidence in a crime scene and not those directly involved in the incident. The police allegedly grabbed Ragos' bag and took it with them so a disinterested party no longer exists. But according to NCRPO chief Police Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, the police have the right to secure the evidence and turn it over to SOCO later on. According to witnesses who were pleading in the video for the police not to shoot Ragos since he was "not of right mind", he was unarmed. No video shows Ragos being armed. Would an ex-soldier suffering from PTSD be allowed to arm himself? Just asking. It would be interesting to note if the gun they allegedly found was indeed registered to Ragos. We cannot be certain of that until the results of the investigation come out which are surely being anticipated by many. Meanwhile, Ragos was given full military honors and will be buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani. He certainly deserves it.