Rob gang leader slain in Tondo

MANILA, Philippines - A man alleged to be a leader of a robbery gang named after him was killed during a shootout with police officers in Tondo, Manila early yesterday.

Jomer Cruz is the 18th suspected robber to die in encounters with Manila police officers since May.

An alleged member of the Sputnik Gang, Cruz was wanted for the killing of Police Officer 2 Joel Magno, a member of the Navotas police, in Sampaloc last month.

Cruz was also among those who escaped in the Feb. 28, 2011 Teresa, Rizal jailbreak. Police said he resumed his criminal activities a few days later.

Senior Police Officer 2 Glen Vallejo said a follow-up team tried to corner the fugitive yesterday, after receiving reports that he had just robbed a businessman.

An informant led police officers to Cruz’s lair at the corner of Tomas Mapua and Antipolo streets at around 12:40 a.m., but when the suspect sensed that he was about to be apprehended, he pulled out his .38 caliber revolver and shot at the police officers. SPO1 Ramon Aquiatan and PO2 Jansey San Pedro killed him on the spot.

Cruz had been charged with various cases at the Antipolo City regional trial court, but he was also tagged in the killing of Magno, the shooting of Manila policeman PO2 Julius Barrientos and the shooting of a security guard during a heist at the Mighty Mart grocery in Sta. Cruz last month.

He was also identified as a leader of a group of men who robbed a drugstore along Quezon Boulevard in Sta. Cruz, a convenience store along Dapitan street and a gasoline station in Bulacan street, all in Manila.