Police launch manhunt for killer cop

Police have launched a manhunt against an operative of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) after he was positively identified by witnesses as the person who robbed and shot dead a Chinese-Filipino trader in broad daylight in Sta. Cruz, Manila last April 17.

In a police gallery of wanted persons, witnesses identified PO1 Edwin Roma, detailed at the NCRPO’s Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU), as the killer of Alberto Uy, 43, a junkshop owner.

Following the positive identification of Roma by witnesses, Manila Police District’s homicide section head Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo Jr. wrote a letter to NCRPO-RSAU chief Superintendent Roberto Villanueva to surrender Roma and his service firearm for investigation.

However, Roma failed to present himself at the MPD headquarters.

On March 18, 2005 Roma was arrested by the Manila police in Binondo by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Lucia Puruggan of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 30 for two counts of robbery.

When news of his arrest came out in the media, a number of complainants surfaced and positively identified him as the same person who robbed them in various occasions.

He was also implicated in the robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder of Olongapo city prosecutor Prudencio Jalandoni on Feb. 7, 2005 in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

A total of 11 criminal cases has been filed against Roma, mostly robbery-holdup and attempted murder.

"I am wondering why this kind of policeman is still in active duty despite the numerous criminal cases against him," officer-on-case PO2 Rommel del Rosario said.

Uy was gunned down when he tried to resist three suspected robbers in broad daylight in Sta. Cruz, Manila. He was declared dead on arrival at the Chinese General Hospital.

Uy had just alighted from his car along Dimasalang street in Sta. Cruz when two suspects held him at gunpoint. Another suspect was waiting in a motorcycle.

Witnesses said Roma allegedly grabbed the two plastic bags the victim was carrying. However, Uy fought his attackers, allegedly prompting Roma to shoot him twice at the back. The three suspects fled on board a motorcycle after taking the two plastic bags.

A sister of the victim told probers that her brother usually carry a large amount of money every morning for his trading business.

The get-away vehicle, a black and blue Isuzu motorcycle, with license plate UR-5602, was later found by responding policemen at the corner of Dimasalang and Don Quixote streets in Sampaloc, Manila.

Documents found at the motorcycle showed the vehicle was registered to one Raulito Miguel, of Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City.

Del Rosario said verification showed Miguel is also wanted for murder and frustrated murder.