Jeepney holdup suspect shot dead

A policeman assigned to the Aviation Security Command at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) shot dead Sunday afternoon an unidentified man who allegedly tried to rob a passenger jeepney in Pasay City.

Senior Police Officer (SPO) 1 Danny Ocampo of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) identified the policeman as Police Officer (PO) 2 Alfredo Batac.

The alleged holdup man sustained a gunshot wound in the chest and died before reaching the Pasay City General Hospital.

Initial investigation showed that the incident happened at around 5:30 p.m.

Reports indicated that as the jeepney (TWE 661) driven by one Vicente Bertolano reached the corner of EDSA and Cabrera Street, the unidentified man, who posed as a passenger, suddenly announced the hold-up.

The man reportedly drew a knife and held it against another passenger, prompting Batac to identify himself as a policeman and order the robber to give up.

Instead, the robber allegedly attacked Batac, forcing the policeman to shoot him with his service firearm, a .45 caliber pistol.

The man’s cadaver was brought to the Rizal Funeral Homes.

Ocampo said the man, who was between 27-35 years old, bore tattoo marks on both arms and back.

Ocampo added that his co-investigator, SPO2 Antonio Canoy had frequently seen the unidentified man in Apelo Cruz Street, Malibay, Pasay. Ocampo said the area is a known haven for snatchers, robbers, and pickpockets in the city. – Nikko Dizon