THE bullet that killed a three-year-old girl during a drug bust in Rodriguez, Rizal may have come from the police officer, who also died in the operation, investigators said Wednesday, July 17.
The Calabarzon police office said in a statement that the bullet that killed Myca Ulpina was in upward trajectory, hitting her nape and exiting through her ears.
“Investigation revealed that the possibility of the bullets that hit Mica’s nape based on its upward trajectory was seen to be coming from the firearm of PSMS (Senior Master Sergeant) Cabigao, while the downward trajectory of bullets that hit Mica’s right thumb and left foot [indicates that it] was coming from an elevated position, which was later admitted by PCpl (Police Corporal) Mark Jherson Olaño as corroborated by Pat. (Patrolman) Christopher Escayde,” it said in a statement.
“This is supported by the testimonial evidence from his co-police officers that immediately upon knowledge of the fatal wounds sustained by their comrade PSMS Cabigao, PCpl Olaño went to the laundry area and indiscriminately fired his firearm against Kato (Renato Dolorfina) who was then carrying his daughter Myca. He also shot Kato on the shoulder while he was on the third floor of the adjacent building. This was affirmed by Pat Escayde,” it added.
Ulpina was killed in a drug bust on June 29 in Rodriguez, Rizal. The target of the operation was her father, Renato Dolorfina, and another drug suspect.
Dolorfina and the other drug suspect were killed after they allegedly fought it out against the operating policemen. Senior Master Sergeant Conrad Cabigao, who served as poseur buyer in the operation, was also killed, as he was shot by the suspects in the neck.
The operating cops said Ulpina was used by his father as a human shield, but the child's mother denied this.
The mother, who refused to be identified, said there was no anti-illegal drug operation, as they were sleeping when the cops barged into their house.
She said she immediately went upstairs along with her other children but Myca did not leave her father.
The Calabarzon police said another lapse investigators found in the operation was no single police commissioned officer was present during the time of the operation, which is a violation of the Standard Operating Procedure in the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations as stated in the Police Operational Procedures since the involved personalities were considered high-value targets.
The Calabarzon police said administrative charges for grave irregularity in the performance of duty will be filed against Chief Master Sergeant Gerry Cordero, who led the operation, while grave neglect of duty for command responsibility will be filed against Lieutenant Colonel Resty Damaso, who was then the chief of Rodriguez, Rizal police.
Chief Master Sergeant Vladimir Dizon, chief investigator of Rodriguez municipal police station, will also be charged with grave neglect of duty for letting four rookie investigators handle the case without supervision from a senior police investigator.
Homicide charges will be filed against Olaño for the death of Ulpina.
"This incident was very unfortunate, and we extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Myca Ulpina, but we assure the public that no stone will be left unturned until we get to the bottom of this," Calabarzon Director Brigadier General Edward Carranza said. (SunStar Philippines)