A construction worker in Sta. Rita, Pampanga was killed by a police officer who mistakenly identified him as a holdupper.
According to the police investigation, the police are conducting a dragnet operation for a holdup incident in a computer shop in Barangay San Matias in Sta. Rita when the victim, Federico Pineda, 29 years old just passed the area.
According to Police Capt. Renemer James Pornia, chief of Sta. Rita Police, Pineda matched the suspect’s description so he was mistaken for the holdupper.
“During the dragnet operation, the victim suddenly appeared in the area near the incident. He had the same description as the suspect so when he was flagged down, he evaded and disregarded our patrol officer. There was a chase and while the patrolman was on his motorcycle, he accidentally fired his gun when he drew it and shot the victim,” Pornia said in Filipino.
The victim was a construction worker and had just returned from her child’s birthday when the incident happened. He took his uncle to a nearby cockpit where the real suspect also entered.
Coincidentally, both Pineda and the suspect were wearing white shirts so they were mistaken.
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Construction worker mistaken as holdupper killed by police
The Pineda family is mourning the death of Federico.
“Pilit po naming tinatanggap pero talagang masakit po para po para sa amin, kasi wala naman kaming alam na ginawang kasalanan ng kapatid ko ang liit pa ng mga anak niya…sana bago siya gumawa mg hakbang o bago siya bumaril, sana kahit sa paa nalang o kaya yung motor nalang niya yung binaril pinuruhan niya eh,” said Michelle Pagauisan, the victim’s sister.
Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda condemned the incident and ordered the immediate arrest of the policeman who killed the construction worker.
Pornia also promised that they would be fair in the investigation of the case.
The cop has been disarmed and is currently detained in Sta. Rita Municipal Police Station.
Meanwhile, the real suspect was also caught and the stolen money was recovered from him. He has been charged with robbery and frustrated homicide.