Family, friends call ‘Justice for Amier’

"Justice for Amier Mangacop" FB Page
"Justice for Amier Mangacop" FB Page

THE family and friends of the Grade 9 student, who was shot by a doctor non-uniformed personnel of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao on Saturday dawn, July 2, is seeking justice for his death.

A Facebook page entitled "Justice for Amier Mangacop" was created days after the incident.

In an online chat, the page administrator confirmed to SunStar Davao that the page was created as an avenue for "the official statement of the family, friends, and supporters" to call for justice for Mangacop's death.

In the post, the camp clarified that the victim was 19, contrary to earlier news reports that he was 21.

Mangacop, according to the post, was shot seven times outside a bar by the PRO non-uniformed staff.

In an official statement by the family and friends, Mangacop and his cousins were just sleeping at their aunt's house in Davao City when one of the cousins called and requested to be fetched at the bar along the corner of Tavera and V. Mapa streets.

"Being a good and loving cousin that he was, he immediately complied. Woke up his cousins then they all went to the mentioned bar, not knowing what fate awaited him there," the statement read.

They also belied reports that Mangacop and his companions "were all drunk or high."

According to the group, there was already an ongoing commotion at the bar involving other people when Mangacop arrived.

The shooter, according to them, was "intoxicated" when he shot the victim.

"So even if Amier was not there that night; someone might have still been killed—it could be someone else’s cousin, son, or worse seven people might have been shot by the seven bullets fired. We all know that guns and liquor are a deadly combination," the statement read.

Questions raised

The camp of Mangacop raised some questions on why the incident happened and how it could have been prevented.

They raised how the shooter was allowed inside the bar considering there is a directive issued by former president Rodrigo Duterte in January 2019, which was issued by then Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, ordering the Philippine National Police through an Administrative Circular, banning police personnel from drinking in bars, nightclubs, and in other public places.

They also raised the question of whether gun owners are allowed to bring their firearms in public areas such as bars and other drinking places.

"Are gun owners allowed to just bring their guns anywhere and everywhere, especially in bars, nightclubs, and other public drinking places? Or our Bars slowly becoming like the schools of America?" the camp said.

In relation, they also questioned the bar's security protocol.

'Kind, obedient, loving son'

The family and friends described Mangacop as a "kind, obedient and a loving son," with no vices.

"[H]e disliked to drink liquor and hated the smell of cigarette smoke," they said.

The victim was second among six children.

"He had many beautiful dreams for himself and his family. He loved to tinker and repair cars and dreamt that one day he would be able to build his own car detailing and repair shop. But that dream will remain a dream... forever," the camp said.

SunStar Davao is still reaching out to Davao City Police Office (DCPO) for their reaction.

However, DCPO Director Alberto Lupaz said in a press conference on Monday, July 4, that there is no special treatment in the case.

"We are doing everything na talagang fair at nagkuha tayo ng abogado para doon (to be fair, and we really hired a lawyer for this)," Lupaz said. RGL

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