Northern Police District (NPD) Director, Chief Supt. Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr. has ordered a manhunt operation against a policeman assigned at the NPD office who allegedly shot dead a vendor Sunday night in Sangandaan, Barangay 2, Caloocan City.

Pagdilao directed all intelligence operatives from District Intelligence Division (DID) and the District Police Intelligence Unit (DPIU) to arrest PO2 Jojo Dacasin, assigned at the District Personnel, Human Resources and Doctrinal Development (DPHRDD) of the NPD following the death of Melchor Ramos,42, whom he allegedly shot after a heated argument with his nephew.

Pagdilao directed them to immediately bring Dacasin into restrictive custody pending investigation of the shooting incident.

An initial report submitted by Senior Supt. Florendo Quibuyen, acting Caloocan City Police chief, said Dacasin, a resident of Caloocan City, shot Ramos thrice after a heated argument.

Ramos sustained gunshot wounds on his head, neck and left hand. He was rushed to President Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Hospital but died while undergoing treatment, police said.

The report said at about 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, shortly after the victim and the suspect’s nephew identified
as Rown Dacasin had a verbal altercation, Dacasin came armed with an unknown firearm and shot the victim three times.

Pagdilao ordered the transfer of investigation from the Caloocan City Police Station to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Northern Field Office and directed the immediate filing of criminal cases against Dacasin.

Dacasin is facing multiple charges including violation of the gun ban provision of the Omnibus Election Code, while the Internal Affairs Service of the NPD was ordered to handle the administrative case, Pagdilao said.

“The manhunt operation against Dacasin will serve as a strong message to the public and to other police offenders within Camanava area that the NPD does not protect its own erring personnel nor will condone criminal acts committed by policemen,” Pagdilao said.