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Winston Ragos was a Philippine Army veteran who served in the Battle of Marawi in 2017. He was shot dead by the police at a checkpoint while the country is under enhanced community quarantine for attempting to pull a gun. Ragos was brought to Commonwealth Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Witnesses say he did not bring a gun and his mother claimed her son was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder following his tour of duty. Shooting On April 21, 2020, at 2:30 p.m., Police Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo, Jr. and some police trainees from the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group were manning a control point in Maligaya Drive, Brgy. Pasong Putik, Quezon City. In a CCTV footage, Ragos approached the policemen and started shouting due to their claim of him violating quarantine protocols. The police officers asked Ragos to go home and he allegedly attempted to pull out a .38 caliber hand gun from his sling bag prompting Florendo to shoot Ragos. Florendo shot Ragos twice, causing him to stagger. Ragos stood up, before falling to the ground. Ragos was brought to Commonwealth Hospital and was declared dead at 5:57 p.m. For the Philippine National Police (PNP), it was a "judgment call" for Florendo. Reactions His death during the quarantine period led to heavy criticism of the PNP. Florendo surrendered to authorities and yielded his service firearm. A hashtag named #JusticeForWinstonRagos trended online. The Quezon City government released a statement online on their stance as the Quezon City Police Department is undertaking a thorough investigation. The Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives has condemned the shooting saying the incident “highlights the draconian handling” of the coronavirus crisis. Military Honor Philippine Army conferred Military honors to the former soldier Corporal Winston Ragos. Philippine Army said it coordinated with Ragos's mother to extend honors to the soldier and proceed with funeral and burial arrangements at the Libingan ng mga Bayani April 26, 2020 Sunday at 12 noon.
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