In the face of a pandemic, extreme virus containment measures, and an enhanced community quarantine, looming in the streets are police officials.

As if sent to a warzone, it is evident that these cops are not dressed in medical protective equipment yet fully armed with firearms. With the president’s order to “shoot dead” those who will not abide by the rules of the lockdown, people are forced to be blindly subservient to the authority.

These police officials, nonetheless, often forget that they are public servants with the duty to serve and protect.

While many succumb to COVID-19 in hospitals, many Filipinos suffer outside the threat of the disease – struggling due to lack of government aid, hunger, violence, and a deteriorating healthcare system.

With the death of a civilian in the hands of the police, the worst has just begun. The pandemic is not a war, but the trigger is orchestrated against the powerless.

 

AT GUNPOINT

The gun’s aim was toward the civilian; there were 4 policemen surrounding him.

 On April 21, 2020, a retired soldier was shot in the upper body by Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo during a heated confrontation at a quarantine checkpoint in Quezon City. Reports have confirmed that the man who was shot, Winston Ragos, was declared dead on arrival after having been brought to the hospital. Ragos, according to the cops, approached them. He was shouting and was told to return home. Ragos refused and argued that he was a former member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Police statements say that Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo saw a .38 caliber gun inside Ragos’ bag, justifying the intimidation and the need to pull out a gun himself. Ragos was also asked to surrender but police reports say it was to no avail, claiming that he was about to put out his firearm when he was shot by Florendo.

Although public opinions on social media were varying whether it was Ragos’ fault, a few things remain to be true. Ragos, regardless if he was a suspect or not, deserves maximum tolerance, peaceful de-escalation, and due process most of all.

At a time where escalating numbers of deaths are to be avoided, it is alarming to see a life taken away by a police’s gun in broad daylight.

 

PULLING THE TRIGGER

The order stated by the Commander-in-Chief was distinct and straightforward, with no room for remorse: shoot them dead – the unruly.

 The police reports were successful in showing that Ragos was indeed disobedient. However, several videos of the incident started to circulate on Facebook. These footage show different angles of the shooting, one of it was posted by Ragos’ niece while the other one was seemingly taken and posted by a police official who was with Florendo.

Disturbing and fear-inducing, the videos taken by the deceased’s niece as well as that of the alleged police officer, the shooting was clear and visible. Heard in the audio of the video were the bystanders during the incident. Shouted by a woman in the video, “Sana kinapakapan niyo muna!” (You should have checked his things first (if he really had a gun)), probably referring to Ragos’ sling bag.

Reports verify that Ragos is a veteran soldier. His relatives also confirm that he did not have a gun contrary to police reports. Ragos was also said to be out of his right frame of mind as he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

There is no excuse for breaking the law had Ragos committed a mistake in as much as there is no excuse for merciless behavior that is totally uncalled for from public officials like Florendo who should be committed to safeguarding its people.

For the people, to be law-abiding citizens is important. For those who hold authority and power, accountability should be mandatory.

 

OPEN FIRE

With nothing but hope that the people behind the gunshot pays for the crime they have committed, people call for justice for Ragos.

Had it been self-defense, the gun should have been targeted to disable the then “uncontrollable” Ragos. Although, contrary to claims that the shots were due to Ragos’ aggressive behavior, it is noticeable that out of the two gunshots, the last one was fired at the victim’s back. It is also worth the attention to look into why people were told not to go near the expiring Ragos when first aid measures could have been exhausted to keep him alive. Ragos’ sling bag was taken by police from the scene of the crime, and then without anyone taking videos anymore, the police say they found a gun in the dead person’s bag.

The shooting involving Ragos along with Florendo and the other policemen in the scene is a solid manifestation and a firm reflection of how the pandemic is being handled by the state. Albeit the lack of probe and context at this time, what is unquestionably seen in the incident  is the blatant disregard for overall safety, public health, as well as mental health concerns.

When the masses are not getting the bare minimum support and protection from their own government, they cannot expect these people to obey the ones that persecute and neglect them.

When a war is waged, no life should ever be a collateral damage. A pandemic is much, much different from a war. It does not need military force. But just like wars, it should have no room for lives unnecessarily lost. It is unfortunate to have a government that starves and shoves violence to its very own people’s throats in the course of a pandemic, when the virus has already taken enough lives.

The sacrifice of the country’s doctors, medical staff, and all frontliners are bastardized most now that a  life is taken away with a few gunshots. While they are saving lives and putting theirs at stake, government and police officials are so quick and eager to kill.

The country deserves no less than competent leaders that respect human rights and human life, most especially in dire situations that are crisis-induced. 

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