CONSTRUCTION worker Federico "Tek" Pineda, 29, was allegedly "accidentally" shot dead by a pursuing police officer in Santa Rita town on Saturday night, January 2, authorities said.
Police said Pineda, a resident of Zone 6, Barangay San Matias, was "accidentally" shot by Corporal Eframe Ramirez, who was part of an Oplan Sita, in pursuit of a fleeing suspect who robbed and stabbed a couple who owned a computer shop in Sunny Side Subdivision in Zone 3, Barangay San Matias.
The robbery suspect, later identified as Joven A. Basera, residing at Laplana Apartment located in Zone 2, Barangay San Matias, was eventually apprehended and charged with robbery with frustrated homicide after hitting victims Rafael Garcia and Carolina Garcia with a metal canister and empty softdrinks bottle in their heads, authorities said.
According to Pineda's sister, Michelle Pagauisan, her brother celebrated the seventh birthday of his daughter on Saturday night. He then decided to take an intoxicated uncle home. Police said Pineda, who was then on board his motorcycle and happened to be at said place, was flagged down but did not stop.
Reports further stated that the robbery suspect wore a white undershirt similar to that of Pineda's based on security camera footage. Both entered the same door of a cockpit arena where Pineda passed as an access route to his uncle's house.
Police reportedly tried to stop Pineda, who was then wearing a shirt on his face. Pineda ran to his in-laws' house despite a gunshot at his back.
"Unfortunately, one of the members of the responding team accidentally discharged his firearm and unintentionally hit Pineda," the police report added.
Pineda died from a gunshot wound in the back and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
Sta. Rita police chief Captain Renemer Cruz had immediately placed Ramirez under restrictive custody and his issued firearm has been surrendered.
The Provincial Internal Affairs Service is also conducting a motu propio investigation on the case while Ramirez was subjected to a paraffin test.
Police Regional Office-Central Luzon Director Valeriano De Leon said "although the quick arrest of the suspect is an accomplishment for us, still we are saddened with the unfortunate incident and we are extending our condolences to the bereaved family. We assure everyone of a fair investigation and I have already ordered Police Colonel Arnold Ibay, Pampanga police director, to disarm Police Corporal Eframe Ramirez and put him under restrictive custody pending the conduct of an in-depth investigation. If found guilty, he will be meted with administrative and criminal charges. We do not condone any irregularities from our personnel." (With reports from PRO-Central Luzon)