Rob suspect shot dead by QC cops

An ex-jail inmate was killed after he traded shots with operatives of the Central Police District-Station 3 who chanced upon him while allegedly robbing a taxi driver in Quezon City yesterday.

Oscar Mabutas, 23, a native of San Isidro, Sorsogon, died while being treated at the Quezon City General Hospital for multiple gunshot wounds in the body.

A document retrieved by the police from the suspect’s body showed he was recently released from the Quezon City Jail last Aug. 5, 1999. He had a "Batang City Jail" tattoo on his left shoulder.

In a report, SPO1 Edgardo Cruz and PO1 Ariel Cantorna, of Sangandaan police station, said they chanced upon a taxi driver being held up by Mabutas.

Investigation showed Mabutas flagged down the "Kabayan Taxi" cab along Road 20, Project 8, Quezon City around 6 a.m. and ordered the driver, Rogelio Diño, to bring him to Novaliches, Quezon City.

Upon reaching Villa Subdivision, Barangay Talipapa, Novaliches, Quezon City, Mabutas pulled out a gun and announced the holdup.

Diño told the police that Mabutas was carrying a caliber .32 pistol.

The Sangandaan police station agents were about to return to their detachment after securing people attending the traditional "simbang gabi" in a nearby church when they chanced upon Mabutas pointing his gun at the taxi driver.

Mabutas apparently noticed the police patrol car and prompted him to fire several shots towards the policemen.

Mabutas was later cornered by the policemen who returned fire and hit the suspect in different parts of the body. — Pia Lee-Brago