MANILA, Philippines - An arrested robbery suspect was shot dead at past midnight yesterday when he allegedly grabbed a policeman’s gun as he was being transported in a Manila Police District (MPD) patrol car for a routine physical examination.
Jonathan Lising, 34, was arrested hours after he reportedly robbed and stabbed 17-year-old high school student Jersey Jay Dagli at the corner of G. Tuazon and Samar streets at around 8:30 p.m.
Dagli was able to ask a tricycle driver to bring him to the Ospital ng Maynila (OSMA), where he died while undergoing treatment.
Police Officer 2 Josefino Callora, PO2 Petrous Ryan Malacad and PO1 Joseph Vistan arrested Lising and brought him to the MPD Station 4 for booking.
As part of standard operating procedure, the policemen were supposed to bring Lising to the OSMA for physical examination.
While they were traveling to OSMA in a patrol car (SGK-371), the policemen reported that Lising was in the back seat with Vistan on his right. Callora was driving and Malacad was in the front passenger seat.
The policemen reported that Lising, who was more than six feet tall, was handcuffed with his hands behind his back, but was able to free himself. He reportedly started hitting Vistan, who was talking to his colleagues.
An investigator looking into Lising’s death said the handcuff used by the arresting officers was fake.
The policemen who arrested Lising said he managed to get Vistan’s gun, which went off. The bullet hit the car’s right rear door. The lawmen reported that at this juncture, Macalad drew his gun and shot the suspect in the head.
Lising was declared dead on arrival at the OSMA.