Precinct commander killed in Pasig pubhouse shooting

A police precinct commander and two others were shot dead yesterday by three armed men, whom the former had tried to disarm in front of a pubhouse in Pasig City.

Superintendent John Sosito, Pasig City police chief, dispatched crack operatives to various hospitals in Metro Manila following reports that the bleeding Chief Inspector Danilo Balaysoche managed to draw his gun, open fire and hit one of the suspects.

Initial reports showed that the suspects were Army soldiers. But Sosito said it is premature to put the blame on any group as he admitted they have no concrete leads as yet.

Balaysoche, 42, head of the Police Community Precint 9 of the Pasig City police and residing at Block 41 Lot 9, Mabuhay Homes, Binangonan, Rizal, sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the body and died on the spot.

His companion, Wilfredo Francisco Jr., 44, of Block 3 Lot 70, Tapayan, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Taytay, Rizal sustained gunshot wounds in the right side of the neck and right arm. He was declared dead on arrival at the Rizal Medical Center.

An unidentified bystander was hit in the forehead and was also declared dead in the same hospital.

Witnesses said the three suspects, armed with caliber .45 automatic pistols and a .38 revolver, appeared waiting for a companion in front of Virgats Pubhouse at 12 San Guillermo St., Barangay Buting at 3:30 a.m.

Each one of them took turns in trying to enter the pubhouse but were barred by a security guard for their continued refusal to deposit their firearms.

Sosito said Balaysoche had just arrived at the PCP 9 headquarters after doing the rounds of his jurisdiction with Francisco, when the phone rang reporting the presence of the armed men.

Although already in civilian clothes, Balaysoche and Francisco rushed to the scene.

Witnesses said Balaysoche identified himself as a policeman and was about to frisk one of the suspect’s but was beaten to the draw. The suspect opened fire before the cop could reach for his gun.

Although wounded, Balaysoche pulled out his caliber .45 automatic pistol and fired several rounds at his attacker. Witnesses said Balaysoche hit his target.

Another suspect, drew his gun, pointed it at the cop but before he could open fire, Francisco grabbed his arm. However, Francisco failed to disarm the suspect, who turned his ire on him by firing two successive shots.

When the gun smoke cleared, an unidentified bystander, lay dead in the pavement along with Balaysoche and Francisco.

Sosito said the suspects grabbed Balaysoche’s service firearm, boarded their cream colored Ford Fiera with unknown plate number and sped towards C-5 Road and Makati City.

Sosito said they have no suspects and are still gathering the testimonies of witnesses. He, however, dispatched his station’s follow-up operations units to gather more leads and track down the suspects. – Non Alquitran