A man died after a police officer reprimanded him for not wearing a face mask in Pampanga.
The victim was identified as Abelardo Vasquez, 20, who sustained three bullet wounds to the body.
A homicide case has been filed against Police Cpl Alvin Pastorin, who is detained at the Bacolor Police Station. A possible administrative case is also being prepared against him.
According to the victim’s cousin, they were having fun in front of the aunt’s house on Saturday, November 20, when the police reprimanded them.
Their uncle allegedly talked to the police to negotiate after the misunderstanding in the area.
“‘Yung tito ko po nun, kinausap niya, ‘Ano pong problema sir?’ Tapos ‘yun, nakipag-ayos na po. Okay na. Nagkahiwalay-hiwalay na po kami. Tapos, nung pagtalikod po namin, nakakatatlong hakbang pa lang kami, biglang may pumutok na baril,” said Carl, not his real name.
(My uncle talked to the cop and said, ‘What’s the matter, sir?’ After that, it was settled. It’s okay. We have separated. Then, when we turned around, we were only three steps away, suddenly a gun was fired.)
Pastorin allegedly shot Vasquez. The victim was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
“‘Di ko siya mapapatawad. Buhay po ng anak ko ‘yung binawi niya,” said Louh Vasquez, mother of the victim.
Cop shoots dead face mask violator in Pampanga
“Pulis siya. Dapat siya ‘yung mag-ano ng kapayapaan. Hindi ‘yung kikitilin niya ang buhay ng anak ko.”
(I can’t forgive him. He took the life of my son. He is a cop. He should have been a peacemaker and not a killer.)
According to the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, after the suspect reprimanded the victim, the men allegedly threw stones at him and chased him until he fell to the ground. So he was allegedly forced to fire a gun to defend himself.
“Dahil merong testigo laban kay Pastorin at meron din namang mga testigo in favor kay Pastorin, idinulog natin ito sa provincial prosecutors office for inquest,” said Police Col. Robin Sarmiento, provincial director of Pampanga Police Provincial Office.
(Because there are witnesses against Pastorin, and there are also witnesses in favor of Pastorin, we took it to the provincial prosecutor’s office for an inquest.)
The police also filed a case of attempted homicide, direct assault, and malicious mischief against the victim’s group.
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