A suspected robber was gunned down while two of his companions were arrested during an alleged shootout with policemen in Tondo, Manila Wednesday night.
Jeffrey Ramos, 24, was declared dead on arrival at the Ospital ng Tondo. A paltik .38 caliber revolver with five bullets was recovered from him.
Two of his companions – Cerio Bernabe, 24, and a 16-year-old boy – surrendered after a brief chase. A dagger was recovered from their possession.
According to Jose Abad Santos police station chief Superintendent Jemar Modequillo he has ordered an intensified patrol of crime-prone areas in Tondo following reports of rampant robberies.
Senior Police Officer 1 Roderick Lacangan, and POs1 Roderick Magpale, Reynaldo Olivo Jr. and Jonathan Acido were reportedly on patrol along Ipil and Cavite streets when they chanced on four armed men robbing vegetable vendors Joey and Rina Santos.
The policemen approached and introduced themselves, but instead of giving up Ramos reportedly shot at them, Modequillo said in his report. Olivo returned fire and hit Ramos, while the suspect’s three companions ran away. Two were captured after a brief chase, while one managed to elude the police.
The Reyes couple identified the suspects as the persons who held them up. The firearms of the four policemen will be subjected to ballistic tests to determine who among them fired the fatal bullet. Homicide charges will also be filed against them as part of the police’s standard procedure. – Nestor Etolle