2 hurt in Malabon shootout

Two persons, including a policeman, were hurt in a five-minute shootout between the police officer and four companions on board a jeep and three gunmen the other night in Malabon City.

Superintendent Pete Ramos, Malabon City police chief, identified the wounded cop as PO1 Anthony Hernandez y Beltran of the local police and now confined at the Chinese General Hospital in Manila where he is being treated for a gunshot wound in the left leg.

The other wounded man was identified as suspect Gregorio Bernardo, alias "Gary," 34, a resident of 99 Gen. Luna street, Barangay Ibaba, Malabon City. Police are hot on the trail of Bernardo’s pal Salvador Monfiero alias "Badong," of Gen. Luna corner Mallari streets, Barangay San Agustin, Malabon City and their companion.

Initial investigation showed the cop, with four others on board an owner-type jeep (TNT 106) were allegedly waylaid by the three suspects at around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The cop said they were met by a hail of bullets from the suspects for unknown reasons prompting him and his pals to return fire in an encounter that lasted some five minutes.

When the smoke cleared, Hernandez was seen bloodied on the ground and was immediately taken to the hospital as the suspects fled towards an unknown direction.

A follow-up operation later yielded information that Bernando was left for treatment by his companions at the Manila Central University (MCU) Hospital due to three gunshot wounds in the body. – Jerry Botial