THE PNP is reviewing its standard operating procedures (SOPs) following the deaths of policemen in shootouts with robbers in Quezon and Danao cities recently.
“We are reviewing our procedures, we are reviewing our SOPs to mitigate the danger,” PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III told reporters on Tuesday after visiting the wake of one of the policeman fatalities at the Camp Karingal Chapel in Quezon City.
Included in the review is the use of bulletproof vests.
Last Monday, Patrolman Curtney Baggay of the Quezon City Police District and a fellow policeman heard gunshots some 25 meters from the Benigno Elementary School in Barangay Commonwealth where they were posted. It turned out it was a robbery in progress that resulted in the wounding of two people, identified only as Sonny and Irah Mae.
The suspect shot the responding policemen, hitting Baggay in the chest and arm.
Baggay, though wounded, and his companion returned fire, killing the suspect.
Baggay was brought to the Rosario Maclang Hospital where he later died.
Three days earlier, Patrolman Mark Gomer Ornopia Sr of the Danao City police station also died during the performance of his duty.
Ornopia and a jail officer responded to a report about an armed individual who took the service firearm of a pawnshop security guard. The suspect attempted to shoot the guard but the latter’s firearm malfunctioned.
During the chase, the suspect opened fire at the lawmen, fatally hitting Ornopia. The jail officer returned fire, killing the suspect.
“We are going to review our procedures, our equipment, assess if additional armoring of our policemen will help,” said Torre.
“But be that as it may, there is one thing we want to emphasize. We have two heroes,” he said referring to Baggay and Ornopia.
Asked if the PNP will require policemen to always use bulletproof vests, Torre said, “We have existing SOPs regarding the use of (bulletproof) vests during police operations.”
“We are going to revisit that. We are going to look into these so that at least we are going to mitigate the danger on our personnel,” he said.
Torre said the PNP will give “full support,” including financial assistance, to the families of the slain policemen.
Torre said the two policemen may be given spot promotions. He said this will go through a process “but obviously there is no question that they deserve it (promotion).”
Torre said it was unfortunate that the policemen died.
