Policeman killed, soldier hurt in Taguig gun duel

A Camp Crame policeman was killed while a Philippine Army soldier was wounded when they allegedly engaged in a gun duel over a land dispute in Taguig late Sunday night.

Killed was Police Officer 3 Renato Aggasid, 35, married, and resident of Katipunan Village, Barangay Western Bicutan, Taguig.

Now undergoing treatment for a gunshot wound in the chest at the V. Luna Memorial Hospital is Sergeant Ricardo Labrado, 42, married, of J-2 compound, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Investigation conducted by Police Officer 3 Ehron Balauat showed the incident occurred at around 11:45 p.m. along San Francisco street in Barangay Western Bicutan near Aggasid’s house.

Before the gunfight, it was learned that Labrado was looking for Aggasid to question him about a piece of land in Fort Bonifacio that the soldier was reportedly claiming to be his.

When Labrado found Aggasid, a heated discussion erupted between the two and resulted in the two protagonists going for their guns.

Aggasid sustained multiple gun shot wounds and died on the spot. Labrado, who was hit once, was taken to the hospital.

Meanwhile, a former market helper shot dead his two former colleagues at the Asuncion Market in Manila’s Tondo district last Sunday night.

Reports reaching the Western Police District homicide section identified the suspect as Randy Lopega, 27. Police said Lopega allegedly shot dead Mariolito dela Cruz, 19, and Ariel Capoquian, 18.

Initial police investigation showed that a month prior to the incident, Lopega asked market stall owner Nilfa Tahup for a salary increase but was denied. He then quit his job.

A month later, he returned to Tahup and asked to be taken in again, but Tahup took him only as a casual employee.

Last Sunday at about 11 p.m. the suspect went to the stall and saw the victims minding the store. He shot Dela Cruz in the nape, and Capoquian in the head.

But before he died, Dela Cruz identified Lopega as his shooter. Capoquian was later declared dead on arrival at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center. Police are now tracking the suspect. – Rainier Allan Ronda and Mike Frialde