Manila cop robbed, killed in Binondo

MANILA, Philippines - A Manila policeman was robbed and shot dead in Binondo Saturday night.

Police Officer 3 Ernesto de la Cruz, of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 5, was carrying about P500,000 from his money-lending business when an unidentified man suddenly approached him and robbed him at around 9 p.m. near the KP Tower on Juan Luna St.

Investigators said the policeman had just come from Divisoria market to collect from clients of his lending business.

According to MPD-Juan Luna Police Community Precinct head Inspector Armando Macaraeg, the suspect took De la Cruz’s clutch bag, which contained the money, before fleeing.

The victimwas rushed by the bystanders to the Jose Abad Santos Medical Center but he was declared dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, MPD homicide section head Senior Inspector Joey de Ocampo said they are conducting a follow-up investigation to determine who is behind the killing of their fellow policeman. Investigators stressed that while the initial motive appeared to be robbery, they will still look into other possible angles.