Norman Ramos was overwhelmed with grief as he shares how his son, Kim, was shot by a policeman in Marikina City last Oct. 5. Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA - The family of a 23-year-old man shot by a policeman in Marikina City is seeking justice.
Norman Ramos was overwhelmed with grief when he spoke to reporters Monday morning.
He could not imagine his eldest son would fall victim in the war on drugs.
Kim Ramos, 23 years old, was shot dead by a policeman last Saturday night. He was running for help when the bullet hit the back of his head and pierced through his right eye.
"Napakabait ng anak kong yan kasama ko po sa trabaho araw araw construction po. Naku po kahit anong bisyo o inom sapilitan pa nga paano pa sasabihing adik? Sinasabi ngayon na may baril daw anak ko eh paano po magkakaroon ng baril yan di nga marunong makipag-away 'yan. Hinihingi ko katarungan at hustisya para sa anak ko.”
On Saturday, October 5, Kim and his best friend Lauro Lagarde went out to eat after playing basketball. A man dressed in civilian clothes approached them and tried to get their names.
“May dumating na nakamotor tinatanong mga pangalan namin di man lang nagpapakilala kung sino 'bakit po ninyo tinatanong pangalan namin?''Tigil tigilan niyo na paggamit ng droga mga adik kayo' ginanun kami bigla.”
Shocked, Lauro and Kim tried to let the incident go. When they decided to leave for their favorite restaurant nearby, they unexpectedly met the man who accused them of drug addiction.
“Nagtapat po kami sa intersection, 'Kuya bakit mo kami sinabihan ng adik?' Noong sinabihan po siya ng ganun hinugutan niya kami ng baril...binaril niya po kami.”
Lauro escaped death but he was hit in the stomach. Unfortunately, Kim did not survive.
“Ayun nga po masakit po kami na naagrabyado kami pa kinasuhan. Pinipilit po nila akong pinapaamin na ako ang hinahanap nila. Hindi po ako ang hinahanap nila.”
Kim’s family rushed to the crime scene. It was too late. The policeman reported the incident to their station. He said he was pursued by 4 men allegedly after his gun and personal things.
Police Colonel Restituto Arcangel, the chief of police of Marikina City, said their policeman only defended himself.
Here is what he said about the incident.
“Yung pulis natin... may sinita na apat na kalalakihan sa madilim na lugar. Sinita kung ano ang ginagawa doon, dalawa ang motor. Pagkatapos na sinita iniwan na niya. Pagkaalis niya hinabol siya hanggang sa nacorner siya sa kanto ng Vermont at Fernando Avenue, nacorner ang motor ng pulis. Nagpakilala siyang pulis pero inagawan siya ng baril. Pinutukan ang baril kaya tinamaan sa tiyan and then yung isa nung nakita na bumagsak kasama niya bumunot ng baril. Si Kim may dalang caliber 38. Icoconfirm pa namin pero may mga naririnig na itong si Kim na involved sa holdapan.”
Kim Ramos and Lauro Lagarde.
Kim’s family were heartbroken when they heard about the robbery and holdup allegations. Along with friends, neighbors and their local parish, they vouched for Kim’s and Lauro’s good conduct.
“Mabait na tao po yan. Masakit po na binabaligtad yung tao hindi naman po siya ganun. May maayos na trabaho po yan. Wala pong katotohanan yun. Wala po kami kakayanan para magkaroon ng baril. Imposible po talagang gumamit ng droga,” said Moises Musa.
“Walang record dito. Nagbabasketball lang yan siya kasamahan din namin sa simbahan. Mga mababait na bata yan,” said Girly Castor.
“Di po ako naniniwala na adik po. Simula pagkabata wala pong bisyo yun. Walang ginagawang masama yan bakit ganun wala silang bisyo. Si Jun Jun at si Kim sobrang bait po niyan
Kilala ko po yang dalawa na yan,” said Ian Avila.
“Sa mga kabataan sila nakakatulong namin sa church. Siya ang nagpapatawa sa amin. Sobrang nakakalungkot. May mga trabaho naman. Kakasweldo lang noong Sabado ni Kim. Napaka-imposible,” said Leonida Cabuang.
Lauro is still in the hospital undergoing treatment. He will be facing police charges upon his discharge from the hospital. Kim’s remains is at the basketball court where he and Lauro last played. The policeman is still on duty.