Cop slain in EDSA bus heist

A senior police officer was shot dead yesterday afternoon by four robbers, who staged a heist inside a provincial bus before fleeing on foot on EDSA in Quezon City.

Police identified the fatality as SPO1 Norberto del Rosario, who was detailed at the Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO) in Camp Crame.

Initial reports reaching the Central Police District-Criminal Investigation Unit (CPD-CIU) revealed that the robbery took place at about 4 p.m. immediately after the Manila-bound ES Transport Bus (PWA-594) left the Sta. Rita exit in Bulacan going to the North Expressway. The passenger bus came from Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija.

Witnesses said the police officer, who was on board the bus, was awakened by the heist and tried to pacify the suspects. But the robbers immediately opened fire at him, hitting him in the nape and body. Del Rosario died instantly.

Quoting information received from passengers, Police Officer 1 Ronaldo Nava said three suspects divested valuables from some 60 passengers while another suspect sat beside the driver until they reached EDSA and alighted near SM City Annex. – Katherine Adraneda