NCRPO orders another Agustin probe

The Manila policeman who was shot dead by his immediate superior was laid to rest yesterday after an overnight vigil at the Western Police District (WPD) headquarters along United Nations Avenue in Ermita, Manila.

As he was laid to rest, the Regional Investigation and Intelligence Committee (RIIC) of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), ordered another pre-charge investigation against Inspector Reynaldo "Boy" Chico, the deputy commander of WPD's detective trackers unit who allegedly shot dead SPO1 Celeste Agustin after a heated argument.

Chico was charged with homicide, a bailable offense, despite the protestations of Agustin's kin and friends who insisted that circumstances surrounding the killing indicated murder.

They indignantly questioned why a spot report appeared only 12 hours after the incident, why no witnesses were sought or interviewed by homicide investigators, despite their appearing on TV.

They also questioned why cops harassed newsmen and doctors in the hospital while the victim was being treated, as caught on TV; why they reported a continuing incident when Chico spent time after the fistfight recovering his gun from the counter where it had been deposited; and pointed out that Chico had determinedly bent his wrist, held high by pacifying cops, to shoot the victim.

Chico, however, maintained the shooting was accidental.

Chief Superintendent Efren Fernandez, NCRPO deputy for administration and RIIC chief, gave the WPD until today to submit its findings on the pre-charge investigation and to recommend a summary hearing if warranted by evidence.

This means Chico will be summarily dismissed from the police service and lose all his retirement benefits if he is found to have acted arbitrarily in shooting Agustin.

Agustin's remains were brought to its resting place at the Our Lady of Peace Memorial Park in Antipolo City following a necrological service at 8 a.m. with members of the Manila's Finest Brotherhood Association, Inc. in attendance.

A huge black banner reading "Justice for SPO1 Celeste Agustin, Victim of Heinous Crime" preceded a long convoy of vehicles that escorted the hearse.

Meanwhile, Agustin's wife Grace said she has received feelers from Chico's camp for an out-of-court settlement of the case. "The life of my husband is priceless. All I want is justice for his death. I want the guilty person to pay for his deeds," Grace said.

WPD director Chief Superintendent Avelino Razon Jr. had ordered the WPD-General Assignment Section to reinvestigate the shooting of Agustin due to the allegations of a cover-up in the investigation conducted by the Homicide Division. -- Nestor Etolle