Lawman, tagged in motorbike thefts, shot dead

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman, who had been tagged in a series of motorcycle thefts for the past two years, was slain in a shootout in Quezon City at past midnight yesterday.

Police Officer 1 Jay Rowan Poquiz has been under surveillance by the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group (PNP-IG) since he was accused of motorcycle theft in 2012, said Senior Inspector Rolando Lorenzo Jr., head of the anti-car theft section of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Lorenzo said Poquiz had been absent without official leave since 2007. He used to be assigned with the PNP’s Headquarters Support Unit at Camp Crame.

“Their group’s operation started in Manila but eventually spread to provinces on the outskirts of Metro Manila,” Lorenzo said.

The PNP-IG set up a transaction with Poquiz and an unidentified companion for the sale of a motorcycle at past 1 a.m. yesterday, but the two sped away after sensing it was a sting.

The two were killed when reportedly engaged their pursuers in a running gunbattle.