Caloocan cop’s trial for boy’s murder set

MANILA, Philippines — The Caloocan regional trial court (RTC) has ordered the trial for murder of a police officer who stands accused of shooting a six-year-old boy.

Caloocan RTC Branch 128 Judge Eleanor Kwong yesterday terminated the pretrial for murder, attempted murder and gun ban violation yesterday against Cpl. Rocky delos Reyes and set the first day of trial on July 30.

The judge admitted the stipulation of facts presented by the prosecutor that the corporal allegedly fired the shots that hit Gian Habal in the forehead while he was playing outside his house in Camarin, Caloocan on April 28.

The judge also admitted the stipulated fact of the case that Delos Reyes shot the foot of Gian’s grandmother Elsa Montañez to escape. Elsa and the boy’s grandfather Arsenio rushed out of the house to accost Delos Reyes after they saw the boy’s bloodied body outside their house.

The prosecutor said the pieces of evidence include the statements of Gian’s grandparents and his mother Jessa Habal, as well as the medical reports on Gian and Elsa, who sustained a gunshot wound in the foot.

Delos Reyes was recently dismissed from service for grave misconduct in connection with the boy’s death. He allegedly fired the shot using a firearm he carried without a permit during an elections gun ban. He claimed he was engaged a drug suspect in a shootout.