PRO7 Eyes Criminal Negligence, Admin Raps Vs Trainors in Death of Rookie Cop

A ranking official of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Wednesday said trainors of the rookie policeman who died of accidental electrocution Monday during training in a southern Cebu camp could face criminal negligence and administrative charges.

Senior Superintendent Lyndon Lawas, PRO 7 deputy director for directorate, said initial investigation showed there is negligence on the part of the trainors because the area was not cleared of all hazardous things.

Lawas said the presence of a live wire in the area alone is highly questionable.

PO1 Christopher Ruiz Jr., 23, died after he reportedly touched a live wire to allow a fellow trainee to pass through inside a police camp in Sibonga, Cebu last Monday morning.

The wire had been dangling from an electrical post and was blocking the way of rookie police officers who were doing exercises.

Senior Supt. Clifford Gairanod, Regional Public Safety Batallion (RPSB) 7 chief, said the trainees waded in a pond near St. Joseph Chapel before the incident happened past 10 a.m. Monday.

PO1 Ruiz’s lawyer-father, Christopher Sr., planned to tap the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 to conduct a separate inquiry on the incident.

He also requested the bureau’s medico-legal officer Dr. Rene Cam to conduct the autopsy on his son.

Atty. Ruiz, also a former police officer, wants to “clear everything and stop the speculation” surrounding his son’s death. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS