Cop gets P.1-M reward for killing bus hostage-taker

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada will give a P100,000 cash reward to a police officer for killing a bus robber who held hostage a 16-year-old student on Thursday.

Estrada cited Inspector Dionell Brannon, chief of the Lawton police precinct, for his act.

Brannon shot dead the hostage-taker, who has yet to be identified, after the suspect tried to stab the victim – a student of the Technological University of the Philippines – in the HM Transport bus at around 2:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said the police officers who responded to the incident committed no lapses.

“It was a judgment call by tactical officers on the ground when the hostage-taker was shot dead. They acted swiftly when the life of the hostage was in danger,” he said.

Pagdilao made the statement after human rights groups said the police should have asked the suspect to surrender instead of shooting him to death.

Pagdilao said he would personally pin the Medalya ng Kagalingan on Brannon at the NCRPO headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig on Monday.

He said other policemen who took part in resolving the hostage-taking incident would be commended.– Jose Rodel Clapano, Non Alquitran