MANILA - Police officers tagged in the killing of a man during an operation in Caloocan City have been relieved from their posts, the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office said Monday.

NCRPO chief Director Oscar Albayalde said he already directed Caloocan City Police chief Senior Superintendent Jemar Modequillo to investigate the killing.

"Nagbigay na 'ko ng instruction sa COP (chief of police) to investigate the matter. Kung makakita tayo ng irregularity sa ginawa nila, they will undergo pre-charge evaluation," he said.

Last Friday, 32-year-old Mario Balagtas was shot dead by Caloocan City policemen when he allegedly started a shootout after being accosted for not wearing a shirt while in the streets with other bystanders.

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Chief Inspector Narciso Cajipe, Police Community Precinct 6 chief, earlier said Balagtas, alias Choy, was outside a hardware with 2 other men when they were spotted by police.

Authorities were about to question Balagtas for violating an ordinance about being shirtless in public when he allegedly ran to his rented room about 30 meters away. His 2 companions also fled on board a motorcycle.

Police knocked on Balagtas' door but the suspect allegedly shot at the policemen, prompting them to fire back. A neighbor said he heard 6 shots fired during the incident.

A witness has said Balagtas was already surrendering and pleading for his life when he was shot dead in Barangay 178.

Police have said Balagtas had already been in jail before and might have returned to selling narcotics.

Balagtas' death is the first under Oplan Galugad following the appointment of the new Caloocan police chief. The NCRPO ordered the relief of Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna in the wake of a teenage boy's death during an anti-illegal drugs operation conducted by police.

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Ito ang unang insidenteng may namatay sa Oplan Galugad ng Caloocan Police mula nang palitan ang hepe nito bunsod ng mga kontrobersiyal na pagpatay sa mga kabataan na sangkot umano sa krimen.
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"Titignan natin kung talagang legitimate operation. Accordingly, sabi ng COP legitimate operation at legitimate encounter," the NCRPO chief said, referring to Oplan Galugad.

Albayalde did not say how many cops were involved in the killing but said they will also be investigated by the NCRPO Regional Internal Affairs Service.

"Wala akong exact number, ang COP ang nakakaalam. I gave him the directive already to investigate at mabigyan ng justice ang ating mga pulis," he said. With a report by TV Patrol