Rookie cop outguns 2 ‘robbers’ in Pasay chase, kills one

A rookie policeman shot dead a suspected robber and arrested another after a thrilling chase in Pasay City Sunday night.

Killed was Efren Abaday of Novaliches, Quezon City. His cohort, Evanjan Lamenario, 20, of Villacampo Compound, Bagbagin, Caloocan City, is now detained at the Pasay City police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) awaiting robbery charges.

Superintendent Eduardo de la Cerna, Pasay police chief, said Police Officer (PO) 1 Emanuel Nacis narrowly escaped death after Abaday fired at him twice but missed.

Investigation revealed the suspects barged into the ACM Agrivet Supply at 186 Dolores St. at around 7 p.m. They ordered at gunpoint cashiers Josephine Tadeo and Catherine Samontanes to open the cash box, from which Lamenario scooped up an undetermined amount of money. The heist over in a few minutes, the suspects quickly tried to escape but were pursued by barangay tanods and policemen who responded to the two women’s cries for help.

A foot chase ensued where Abaday repeatedly fired at the pursuing cops but hit only a parked truck.

Upon reaching Tripa de Galina, the suspects jumped from a bridge into the murky creek, and Abaday again fired at PO1 Nacis.

When the suspect missed, Nacis retaliated and hit Abaday once. His cohort hit, Lamenario gave himself up.

Abaday was taken to the Pasay City General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians. Paper money was reportedly strewn all over the creek and police managed to recover a total of P740.00.

Noting that the weapon used by the robber was authentic and top of the line, not a homemade paltik, De la Cerna said he has ordered his men to confirm with the PNP Firearms and Explosives Division to whom the gun was registered. De la Cerna said the gun may have been stolen.

Meanwhile, three unidentified armed men barged into a convenience store owned by a Filipino-Chinese businessman and carted away more than P100,000 in cash and valuables early yesterday in Malabon City.

Senior Superintendent Pedro Ramos, Malabon police chief, said the suspects robbed the 24-hour Kids and Moms Convenience Store reportedly owned by a Stayman Li, 61, at the corner of Rizal Avenue and Sucingco Street in Barangay Tonsuya.

Ramos said one of three suspects was identified and is believed to be a member of the "Bonnet Gang" responsible for many robberies in Metro Manila. The group is now being tracked down by police operatives.

The heist occurred at about 4:20 a.m. when the three suspects, armed with handguns of undetermined caliber, their faces concealed by black ski masks, entered the store and immediately announced a holdup.

One of the suspects hit one of the customers identified as Virgilio Tablade, 42, on the head with the butt of a gun when he refused to give up his wallet and jewelry.

Store cashier Evelyn Binuce was ordered by the suspects to hand them all the money in the cash register before they fled the crime scene.

Tablade was rushed to the Tondo General Hospital for a gaping head wound as the follow up unit of the Malabon police conducted pursuit operations to apprehend to suspects. – Jerry Botial