Cop slay suspect gunned down after escaping from escorts in Tondo

A jobless man facing murder charges for killing a Manila policeman hours before New Year’s Day, was killed when he shot it out with arresting lawmen in Tondo, Manila on Monday night.

Suspect Dexter Gopetio, 24, of 511 Laurel street, Don Bosco, Tondo, Manila died on the way to the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital from multiple gunshot wounds in the body.

Gopetio was gunned down by P02 Alberto Tec and PO2 Gerry Santos, both assigned to the Anti-Carnapping Unit (Ancar) of the Western Police District (WPD).

Investigator SPO2 Danilo Vidad of the WPD-Homicide Section said the shooting took place at around 10:30 p.m. at the corner of Herbosa street and Road 10, Tondo, Manila.

Gopetio was the principal suspect in the killing of PO2 Nelson Gonzales of the WPD-Task Force Galugad last Dec. 31.

Police said Gopetio harbored ill-feelings against Gonzales, who accused him and his friends of stealing his scooter last Dec. 26.

While in detention at the WPD, Gopetio was "borrowed" by Ancar operatives to help them recover Gonzales’ scooter. Handcuffed behind the back, Gopetio was taken to Lakandula, Tondo.

At some point during the trip, the suspect complained that the handcuffs were too tight.

As PO2 Jesus Simon was about to adjust the handcuffs, Gopetio pushed him. The officer fell to the ground, landing on his back.

Gopetio took advantage of the situation and grabbed Simon’s 9mm service firearm.

He immediately ran toward Lakandula with the other escorts in pursuit.

But they failed to locate the suspect. After being informed of the escape, Ancar chief Senior Inspector Leopoldo Mangilinan formed a team to hunt down the suspect.

At around 10:30 p.m., Tec and Santos spotted Gopetio and tried to arrest him, but the latter opened fire at the arresting cops, who fired back and hit him.

Lawmen immediately brought Gopetio to the hospital, but the suspect was pronounced dead on arrival.

Gopetio’s lawyer Rosendo Ramos told police that they would ask the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an autopsy on the body. – With Nestor Etolle