No mercy for Parola's 'jumper' king - MPD

Police issued yesterday a shoot-to kill order against a man who allegedly heads a large-scale operation providing illegal power connections or “jumpers” to families living at the Parola Compound in Binondo, Manila.

Barangay chairman Justo de la Cruz identified the suspect as King Iver Gaten, alias Baldo, 35, who is also the prime suspect in a recent shootout where four children were hit by stray bullets.

“He is armed and dangerous, so I have issued an order to my pursuing policemen to shoot him if he resists arrest,” Meisic police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut said, following reports that Gaten does not intend to surrender peacefully.

Gaten reportedly took over the operation of illegal power connections in the entire Parola Compound following the arrest of the syndicate leader, Edgar Rioferio, alias Tambobo, last April 29 by Yabut and his men.

Parola residents reportedly consider Gaten as their local Robin Hood for providing power connections free of charge to those who cannot afford to pay for it.

Police failed to find Gaten during a raid on his Parola residence. He is reportedly hiding in Cavite. Yabut is offering a cash reward for information that could lead to Gaten’s arrest.

Yabut said Gaten was seen in Parola Compound two days ago wearing a bulletproof vest and walking with a slight limp. “The suspect could have been also injured in the shootout. I have ordered my men to stake out the area 24/7,” Yabut said. 

Police said Gaten figured in a shootout with Bonifacio Lebrilla, 47, Monday afternoon in a crowded street at the Parola Compound over the control of the illegal power connections in the area.

Lebrilla was hit in the arm and armpit and is confined at the Ospital ng Maynila. During the shootout, four children who were playing inside a parked tricycle were hit by stray bullets. Lebrilla reportedly used the tricycle as his cover during the shootout.

Six -year-old Kim Dasoy and three-year-old John Carlo Armada are still in critical condition at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center for bullet wounds in the head and neck, respectively. Chris Joan, 9, and her one-year-old brother, Chris, were grazed by bullets in the arm and stomach.

Yabut has coordinated with personnel of the Manila Electric Co. for the removal of illegal power connections at the Parola Compound. He has also deployed undercover police officers to catch the syndicate members who illegally tap electricity from the main power post.