No violation committed

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said that there was no violation when a policewoman shot dead a 17-year-old robber the other day in Guadalupe after a ten-minute chase.

Primo Cadampog of CHR said that PO2 Leah Juarez of the Provincial Intelligence Branch did not commit any human rights violation.

The robber, who along with his cousin, tried to elude the pursuing policemen, was beaten to the draw by Juarez when he tried to pull out a caliber .45 pistol after he was cornered.

The CHR looked into the death of the robber after a complainant went to CHR director Alejandro Alonso Jr.

Cadampog said he did not know who filed the complaint as the person went directly to the director.

He also said that based on his investigation, it was the robber, who first tried to draw his pistol, which prompted Juarez to fire hitting him on the abdomen.

The statement of the policewoman coincided with that of Richard Caburnay Baculi, who drove the getaway motorcycle.

Baculi was arrested by PO1 Percival Perigo, who also drove the motorcycle that chased the suspects.

Juarez and Perigo were on board a motorcycle at the Cebu Business Park when the policewoman heard a shout and saw that a woman was being robbed on Cardinal Rosales Ave.

Juarez asked Perigo to make a U-turn and they gave the robbers a chase.

The robbery victim, Reychel Juntar, 31, sustained bruises after a scuffle with the robbers, who took her Apple iPhone 4S.

The chase reached M. Velez St. in barangay Guadalupe where the 17-year-old boy got off and tried to flee on foot.

First time

 Juarez said that it was the first time that she killed somebody in the conduct of her duty as a law enforcer.

She told The FREEMAN that foremost in her mind during the chase was to neutralize and arrest the suspect and she never thought of fear.

“Wa ko magmahay nakapatay ko kaysa wa to madakpi nga daghan pa siya ug mabiktima,” (I have no regrets I killed somebody since if he was not arrested, he could have victimized many more people) Juarez said.

Juarez thanked God for giving her presence of mind.

When the robber attempted to pull out a gun, Juarez used her caliber .40 pistol to shoot hitting him from about 15 meters away.

The robber was rushed to the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival.

Juarez is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Criminology from the University of Cebu in 2005.

She joined the Philippine National Police in 2007 and assigned at the Regional Public Safety Battalion in Sibonga.

She was transferred to the PIB of the Cebu Provincial Police Office in 2010.

The PIB personnel have regular shooting practice aside from their personal practice.

The chase

In a separate interview, PO1 Perigo, of the Special Reaction Unit, said they beat the red light in every traffic light just to catch the robbers who were on board a black Yamaha Mio motorcycle bearing plate number 7141 GL.

“Kusog na kaayo among dagan gisundan lang gyud nako bahala mo-overtake mi,” (We were driving very fast and followed them) Perigo said.

He bought his motorcycle only early this year.

Commendation

Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, will give a commendation to Juarez and Perigo for a job well done.

Comendador said aside from the commendation he will also write a letter to the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame so the two police officers will be given a reward.

“I will give the commendation on Monday for that splendid performance and hope they serve as models to other PNP because it shows a dedication of duty,” he said.

He also reminded his personnel to do their responsibility regardless of gender. — /NLQ