Manila councilor's bodyguard shot dead

MANILA, Philippines – A security aide of a Manila councilor was shot dead by a rookie policeman after the former reportedly barged into a rented house in Tondo, Manila Friday night.

Crisanto Claudio, 59, reportedly a bodyguard of District 1 Councilor Rolan Valeriano, died of a gunshot wound in the abdomen at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital.

Police Officer 1 Rossmon Bautista, 24, detailed at the National Capital Region Police Office, immediately surrendered to barangay officials after the shooting.

He brought his service firearm and the victim’s alleged gun, a 9mm pistol. He has been detained at the homicide section of the Manila Police District.

Bautista told reporters he was in his rented room in Velasquez, Tondo at around 10:30 p.m. when he saw through his room’s open door Claudio’s arrival. He said he was not familiar with Claudio and the latter had a gun tucked into his waistband.

Bautista said he asked Claudio why he went into the house. Claudio said he was visiting a relative, a certain Jimmy, who rents a room adjacent to Bautista’s.

Bautista said he tucked in his service firearm and knocked on Jimmy’s door. Jimmy’s wife opened the door, but immediately closed it again after seeing Claudio.

It was at this juncture that Bautista noticed Claudio holding a gun. Bautista said his male roommates came in and tried to wrestle the gun from Claudio. He said he had no choice but to shoot at Claudio to protect his roommates.

Bautista and his roommates then rushed the victim to the hospital, but he died along the way.

Homicide charges are now being prepared against the policeman.