Cop loses gun to thieves inside WPD

It appears that even the Manila police headquarters is not safe from thieves.

This was the bitter truth learned too late by a member of the Western Police District’s anti-riot unit when he lost his personal firearm after attending a routine formation inside the district headquarters last Sunday night.

Police Officer 1 Arthur Cantor, 28, of the WPD Civil Disturbance Management Group (CDMG), said someone forced open the locked compartment of his motorcycle and took his gun, an Armscor caliber .45 pistol.

Initial investigation by the WPD General Assignments Section showed that Cantor, of 937 Paquita St., Sampaloc, Manila, parked his motorcycle at the headquarters’ motor pool and rushed to attend the 6:30 p.m. formation at the rooftop of the headquarters.

When he returned from the formation, Cantor was surprised to see his bike’s compartment open and his gun missing.

As these developed, a bowl of instant noodles turned out to be the last meal for a tricycle driver who was stabbed dead after a drinking spree in San Andres, Manila, early yesterday morning.

Homicide investigators identified the victim as Michael Canobas, 23, of 1796 A. Francisco street, San Andres, Manila. He succumbed to a stab wound in the back.

Initial police investigation showed that at about 4:00 a.m., the victim arrived home with an unidentified friend and engaged in a drinking spree. He then ate a bowl of instant noodles. After finishing his meal, he and his friend went out of the house.

After 10 minutes, the victim went home already bleeding from his stab wound. He collapsed dead infront of his horrified mother, Felicisima Canobas, police said. – Mike Frialde