Manila cop faces raps for shooting two students

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman is facing multiple charges after he was tagged as the person who allegedly shot two students during a street riot in Malate, Manila last May 19.

Police Officer 2 Joven de Jesus, detailed at the Paco police community precinct, was identified by victims Jovelito Omang and Joseph Airel Gravillo, both 17 years old, from a police gallery, according to Chief Inspector Froilan Uy, who heads the General Assignment Section of the Manila Police District. De Jesus was charged with attempted murder and attempted homicide, Uy added.

Gravillo, who sustained a gunshot wound in the head with the bullet still embedded near his right eye socket, had been in comatose at the UST Hospital for almost a month. He regained consciousness recently and had been cooperating in the police investigation, Uy said.

Omang was an outpatient for a gunshot wound in the right arm.

Gravillo’s mother, Emily, also filed charges of obstruction of justice against PO2 Emmanuel Parungao of the Malate police station for his alleged failure to provide a police report of the shooting.

Investigation showed that at around 1 a.m. of May 19, De Jesus reportedly came out of his residence holding a gun to pacify two warring groups at the corner of Tuazon and Gonzalo streets in Malate.

The two victims said De Jesus fired his gun, hitting Gravillo, who was on his way home. Omang came to the aid of Gravillo but was also allegedly shot by De Jesus in the arm.

Both victims were rushed by residents to the hospital.

Uy said the police had to wait for Gravillo to regain consciousness to identify his attacker.  – Nestor Etolle