Verzosa orders thorough probe on Cavite shooting

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa yesterday ordered a thorough investigation into the fatal shooting of a police captain by a rookie policeman over a minor traffic accident in Bacoor, Cavite last Saturday.

Verzosa directed officials of the PNP Program Management Office, in coordination with the NCR Command Group and Health Service, to study the factors that led to the shooting of Senior Inspector William Pelicano, who was assigned to the Las Piñas City police, by PO2 Alfie Madrid, who belongs to the National Capital Region Police Office (NRCPO).

“This incident will not be taken lightly. I have directed the NCRPO to file the corresponding administrative case, aside from the criminal charges, against Madrid,” Verzosa said.

Verzosa said the campaign for the PNP moral transformation is being tested by the Bacoor incident as it involved two policemen.

He gave the PNP units not later than Oct. 15 to do so. But Superintendent Mario Reyes, Bacoor police chief, said they expect to file the charges today.

“The two suspects are conferring with their lawyers with regards to their defense,” Reyes said, referring to Madrid and his civilian companion, Hermogenes Gagan.

Reyes said the two were subjected to paraffin, drug and alcoholic tests and any positive results would bolster the murder and frustrated murder charges to be filed against them.

He said though that it would take a while before the results of the series of tests would be released.

Pelicano, logistics officer of the Las Piñas City police, was on his way home with his wife, Babylyn, when the passenger jeepney they were in was bumped from behind by a yellow Hi-jet van driven by Gagan along Marcos Alvarez street in Molino 3, Bacoor town at about 8:30 p.m. last Saturday.

Reyes said Pelicano, who was in full police uniform, alighted from the passenger jeep to investigate, and a verbal tussle ensued.

At the height of the argument, Gagan, according to Reyes, allegedly handed his caliber .45 automatic pistol to Madrid and ordered him to shoot Pelicano.

Madrid, who belongs to the NCRPO’s Regional Special Action Unit, heeded Gagan.

As Pelicano fell to the ground after being shot several times, his wife came to his rescue, shouting at Madrid that “you’re shooting at a police officer.”

But instead of heeding her pleas, Madrid, according to witnesses, fired two more shots, with a bullet grazing her on the arm.

Madrid escaped after the shooting. Responding Bacoor policemen arrested Gagan at the scene, where they found two caliber 9-mm pistols, and magazines and assorted bullets. But the gun used in the killing was missing.

While investigators were taking the statements of Mrs. Pelicano at the police station, Madrid, who was wearing different clothes, arrived and inquired about the shooting incident.

Mrs. Pelicano positively identified Madrid as the gunman, and he was placed under arrest.

Reyes said Madrid and Gagan had come from a drinking spree and were also on their way home in Bacoor when the incident happened.

An autopsy showed that Pelicano, who was set to retire this year, sustained seven gunshot wounds.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said Verzosa was peeved by the Bacoor incident.

“The PNP chief wants a massive value formation seminar to be conducted to all PNP personnel and ensure that leadership will be maintained,” Bartolome said.

NCRPO chief Director Jefferson Soriano said he has sent a team to coordinate with the Bacoor police.

“I will talk to the entire team to which PO2 Madrid belongs and implore upon them the responsibility to look after the discipline of each member. They should also determine if there is a breach of leadership in their ranks.” Soriano said.

Bartolome said Madrid would be placed under Soriano’s restrictive custody to ensure that his administrative case is resolved.