Trader shoots responding cop

A manhunt is on for a Filipino-Chinese businessman for reportedly shooting and injuring a policeman who responded to a distress call Saturday morning in Caloocan City.

Suspect Robert Fulton Sia, 26, owner of PR Sia Manufacturing Corp. located at 104 B. Serrano corner P. Jacinto streets, Caloocan City, is armed and dangerous, police said.

Police prober PO1 Felipe Fermin said that Sia’s wife, Rochelle Mendez-Sia, 26, told investigators that the suspect is a drug dependent who had just been released from a rehabilitation center.

Investigation showed that SPO1 Ernesto Mangahas and PO1 Eugene Amaro went to Sia’s firm at about 10:40 a.m. Saturday after the suspect’s wife sought police assistance.

Rochelle told the lawmen that her husband, apparently high on drugs, was threatening her and their children with a gun after she refused to give him some money.

The suspect reportedly fired at Mangahas, while he and Amaro were entering the gate of the Sias’ compound.

Mangahas was hit in the left thigh but managed to return shots with Sia who ran for cover and took refuge inside his office.

While Amaro was attending to the wounded Mangahas, the suspect came out from his hiding place using their maid, Idiza Iran, as a shield, police added.

Sia, armed with a caliber .380 pistol, fled aboard their family car, a gray Toyota Revo with plate number WBW-180 which he later abandoned along 11th Avenue near A. Bonifacio street also Caloocan.

A follow-up operation is now being undertaken for the immediate arrest of the suspect.–Pete Laude, Matthew Estabillo