Coronavirus: Philippine police shoot army veteran dead as lockdown tensions mount

Analysts said the shooting could cause friction between the two forces charged with managing the quarantine of some 60 million people in Luzon

It marked the second fatal shooting by the police this month, raising question about the use of excessive amid the antivirus lockdown

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An armed police officer guards a checkpoint in Metro Manila earlier this month amid the antivirus lockdown of Luzon island. Photo: EPA

Published: 9:00pm, 23 Apr 2020Updated: 10:31pm, 23 Apr 2020

The shooting of an ex-army officer with post-traumatic stress disorder by Manila police has sparked an investigation, and cast a spotlight on the use of excessive force in imposing the lockdown of the Philippines’ largest island of Luzon.

An analyst said it could cause friction between the rank and file of the two forces in uniform charged with managing the quarantine, which requires some 60 million people on Luzon to stay at home with schools suspended, mass gatherings banned and public transport halted.

Former army corporal Winston Ragos was shot and killed on Wednesday by a policeman in Quezon City who said he did so in self defence because Ragos had reached for something in his bag. Police say they later found a pistol, but the 34-year-old’s family say Ragos was unarmed and had only been reaching for a quarantine pass.

The veteran had received a disability discharge with full benefits from the army after fighting in 2017’s siege of Marawi against Islamic State-linked militants, his family said.

Bombed-out buildings are seen inside what was the main battle area between government troops and IS-linked militants in Marawi, in this 2017 file photo. Photo: AFP

In a statement, the Philippine Army said it was “saddened” by the loss of a former soldier and would investigate.