Cops nab MMDA goon

The alleged gunman in the sidewalk clearing operation of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in Paco, Manila last week has been arrested following an operation by operatives of the Western Police District (WPD).

WPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong presented the suspect yesterday morning to Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, who commended police operatives involved in the manhunt for their swift solution of the shooting incident which claimed the life of a pedicab driver and injury to another.

Bulaong said Eliseo Gonzales, 31, an MMDA training officer, was positively identified by witnesses as the person who fired at a group of bystanders at the height of a sidewalk clearing operation in Paco last Friday morning.

Homicide operatives led by Senior Inspector Dominador Arevalo Jr. traced the suspect at the Balintawak Public Market at around 11 a.m. Wednesday while conducting a clearing operation.

Gonzales surrendered peacefully. However, police failed to find the alleged gun of the suspect.

The photos of the personnel involved in last Friday’s clearing operation were furnished to police by MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando.

"The photos aided our witnesses to pinpoint the gunman," Arevalo said.

The indiscriminate shooting resulted in the death of Danilo Peralta, 39, of President Quirino Avenue. He expired Friday night while undergoing treatment for a bullet wound in the head at the Philippine General Hospital. Another victim, Marcio Quinones, 32, of Paco, was hit in the chest.

Arsenia Cabrera, the 54-year-old sister of Peralta, was fuming when she came face to face with the suspect. She attempted to punch the suspect, but Atienza, and several officers prevented her from inflicting harm on him.

"Ikaw ang pumatay sa kapatid ko. Bakit ka nagtatakip ng mukha eh ang lakas ng loob mo pumatay," she cried.

Cabrera said their family is satisfied with the performance of the police for capturing the alleged gunman. Peralta would be buried at the South Cemetery on May 1, which also marks his 39th birth anniversary.

Police said MMDA personnel were clearing the stretch of President Quirino Avenue against illegal structures and traffic obstructions when the operation met stiff opposition from pedicab drivers and stall owners.

Police said some bystanders were throwing rocks at MMDA personnel, until a polo-barong clad man, who turned out to be Gonzales, fired at the group hitting the two victims. Two deformed empty shells from a caliber .45 pistol were recovered at the scene.

Charges of homicide and frustrated homicide, both bailable offenses, were filed against the suspect.

Meanwhile, Atienza reiterated his call to Fernando not to coddle his abusive personnel.

"Instead of immediately absolving his sadistic men of their wrongdoings, Fernando should teach them how to properly handle power and authority," he said.

Atienza maintained that all MMDA operations are banned the city of Manila. The Metro Mayors League, which he chairs, is scheduled to meet today to discuss the MMDA’s function as a coordinating body.