Shootout suspect escapes from hospital

The Central Police District was in an uproar yesterday after an injured suspect in a shootout last month in Quezon City, reportedly escaped while confined at the East Avenue Medical Center.

Glicerio Pitulan, 25, of Antipolo City, was recuperating from a gunshot wound in the shoulder inside a guarded room at the hospital when he escaped unnoticed.

The suspect is the lone survivor among a group that shot it out with policemen in Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City last April 20

A police source said an officer assigned to guard the suspect failed to show up at the hospital, giving the injured Pitulan an opportunity to escape on foot.

The source added that at least four operatives of the CPD investigation unit are now being questioned. No names were available as of yesterday afternoon.

Records showed that Pitulan, along with his brothers Eufemio, Eduardo, Felomino, Serge, and cousin Augusto Torres engaged the cops in a shootout after their vehicle was flagged down during a routine check in Barangay Bahay Toro.

The five others were killed while a wounded Pitulan was arrested after a brief chase. PO1 Andy Monteroso was also killed while PO2 Benito de Vera was wounded. – Matthew Estabillo