Manila cop killed in gunfight with Caloocan cops

The Manila Police District (MPD) is set to file homicide charges against four operatives of the Caloocan Police Station in connection with the slaying of a Manila policeman during a shootout in Caloocan City last Sunday.

Police Officer 3 Angel Ico, 37, detailed at the Alvarez police community precinct of the Sta. Cruz police station, succumbed to bullet wounds in the arm and shoulder at the San Lorenzo Hospital.

Now under the custody of the Caloocan police SIIB (Station Intelligence and Investigation Branch) are Police Officers 1 Rodel Delosmo and Gener de los Reyes of the Bagumbong police detachment, and Police Officers 1 George Aurello and Rodolfo Asuncion of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force detailed at the same detachment.

Investigations conducted jointly by the MPD and the Caloocan police showed that at about 1:30 a.m., Ico took two civilians, Christian Estrella, 20, and a 17-year-old out-of-school youth, at gunpoint to a dark and grassy portion along Caspe street at the Tierra Homes Subdivision in Bagumbong, Novaliches, Caloocan City.

Ico allegedly threatened the two civilians with death. At this juncture, the commotion was noticed by two residents, prompting one of them to check. Ico reportedly resented the meddling of the two residents and even hit one of them with the butt of his gun.

The residents then sought the assistance of four Caloocan policemen who responded at the scene. However, Ico allegedly fired at the approaching operatives, prompting them to shoot back.

Ico was wounded and rushed to the hospital.

The Caloocan policemen involved in the shootout surrendered to their superiors.

Police recovered two empty shells from a caliber .9mm pistol and an M-16 rifle.

Investigators could not explain the cop-victim’s motive for bringing the two civilians to a dark and grassy area inside the subdivision, except to say that he was also a resident in the place.