2 cops in Caloocan shooting freed

MANILA, Philippines - A Caloocan City fiscal recommended the release of the two policemen charged for killing a fourth year high school student and wounding two other boys Friday night.

Assistant city prosecutor Darwin Canete said witnesses could not determine whether Police Officers 1 Orlando de Leon of the Northern Police District or Jelson Chua Eugenio of the Pasay City police was the one who shot 17-year-old James Fritz Pagar.

He said the Northern Police District’s Scene of the Crime Operatives has yet to submit proof that would identify which weapon killed Pagar.

Canete also said that the complainants could still present additional evidence today to strengthen their case against De Leon, Eugenio, and Police Officer 1 Jeffrey Antonio of the Aviation Security Group, who remains at large. The three were charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide Saturday.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Alan Purisima vowed yesterday to dismiss the three from the service. – Pete Laude, Non Alquitran