Shootout cop gets promotion

MANILA, Philippines - Promotion awaits a Caloocan policeman who killed two alleged robbers in a shootout at a gasoline station in Quezon City last Sunday.

Police Officer 2 Cesar Tolentino will be promoted to the next rank in a simple ceremony at Camp Crame on Friday, acting Caloocan police chief Senior Superintendent Ariel Arcinas said.

“This is in compliance with the directive of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas to commend police officers who are doing their job well,” Arcinas said.

Tolentino, of the Caloocan police station investigation division, had arrived at the gas station in Barangay Baesa, Quirino Highway at around 7 p.m. to gas up when an attendant told him that two men on a motorcycle had just robbed the cashier.

He approached the suspects and introduced himself as a police officer. But one of the robbers shot Tolentino, prompting him to return fire and killing the suspects on the spot.