Cop tagged in P3-M Manila heist slain

MANILA, Philippines - A Manila policeman accused of robbing a family in Sta. Ana in June was killed in an ambush in Taguig City Friday afternoon.

Police Officer 3 Morris Malindog and his partner were traveling by motorcycle along Bayani Road in Western Bicutan at around 1 p.m. when two men on a motorcycle tailed them.

Just as Malindog passed a convenience store, the back rider shot him with a 9mm pistol.

Bystanders took him to the Taguig-Pateros District Hospital, where he died while being treated.

Malindog was formerly assigned at the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 6 in Sta. Ana before he was transferred to the District Headquarters Support Unit (DHSU).

Malindog; another Sta. Ana lawman, PO1 Roberto Cruz; and two other men allegedly barged into the house of real estate firm executive Mico Bagui, hogtied his family and took nearly P3 million in valuables last June 2.

When Bagui and his wife, Shantal, 34, went to the nearest police station to report the crime, they were surprised to find that two of the robbers were members of the MPD Station 6 in Sta. Ana.

Cruz, who happened to be at the station, was arrested by his colleagues and charged with robbery.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered the summary dismissal of Cruz and Malindog, who went into hiding and resurfaced later, claiming he had no knowledge of the crime.

The STAR checked with the MPD’s administrative office and found that Malindog was charged with several administrative and criminal cases, mostly for the same offense.

According to his colleagues at the MPD headquarters, he posted bail and was subsequently transferred to the DHSU.

The Baguis told The STAR that Malindog and his cohorts barged into their home at around 8:30 p.m. on May 30, looking for a certain “Eric” and “Anton.” He said the men told them to lay face down on the floor, then hogtied them and herded them into the bathroom.

“They took everything... jewelry, money and even food in the refrigerator. They even took perfumes and baby diapers,” Shantal said.

The family said they lost only P15,000 cash, but the robbers took their jewelry and high-end watches.