MURDER charges have been filed by the Ilocos Sur Provincial Police Office against two of their own for the ambush-slay of a 15-year-old girl who was arrested along with her 18-year-old female cousin for violating curfew last Thursday in Cabugao town.
PNP chief Archie Gamboa identified the cops as Staff Sgt. Randy Ramos and Staff Sgt. Marawi Torda, both detailed with the San Juan Municipal Police Station in Ilocos Sur. They are now under restrictive custody at the Ilocos Sur PPO in Bantay town.
Reports reaching Gamboa said the 15-year-old girl was killed on her way home on Thursday night, shortly after she had filed charges of acts of lasciviousness against Torda before the Cabugao Municipal Police Station.
The murder cases were filed last Friday. The 18-year-old has also filed rape charges against Ramos.
The murder and rape charges are the latest black eye against the PNP, which is reeling from the involvement of cops in the killing of four Army intelligence officers in Jolo, Sulu and the killing of an Army veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Incensed by this latest development, Gamboa said: “They are not men in uniform but animals who deserve to be jailed for life. Walang awa, walang puso, walang kuwentang pulis (No mercy, no compassion, they are worthless cops),” Gamboa said.
He added the two cops should be meted the stiffest penalty available under the law.
Reports said the victim and a male cousin were onboard a motorcycle on their way home when they were waylaid by two men on a motorcycle. The two men, who were wearing helmets and face masks, specifically targeted the girl, shooting her at least five times. Her uncle and cousin were unhurt.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
There were also reports the 15-year-old girl requested police to accompany them home for their safety but was apparently turned down. The local police, however, said no such request was made by the victim.
Reports said the girl and her 18-year-old cousin were apparently drunk and were arrested for violating curfew. Instead of bringing the two to the station, the two cops started to molest them.
While the 15-year-old managed to escape, her cousin claimed she was raped by Ramos.
Gamboa said he has ordered the Ilocos Police Regional Office to provide security for the 18-year-old girl and her family, and ensure the availability of all prosecution witnesses to expedite the murder trial simultaneous with summary administrative procedures.
Sen. Richard Gordon earlier called on the PNP leadership to conduct an investigation on the two cops.
“Two cops are tagged as suspects to the case — they should be pursued not only for sexual assault or acts of lasciviousness but also for murder. We must not allow the victim to be turned into just another statistics,” Gordon said.
News on the girl’s killing was made known to the media only last Saturday.
“It is abhorrent. It has never been and should never be acceptable that we allow our citizens to be killed mercilessly,” Gordon said.
