Cop hurt in Antipolo shootout

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman assigned at the anti-kidnapping unit in Camp Crame was seriously wounded but still managed to shoot dead a neighborhood toughie in an alleged shootout in Antipolo City.

PO2 Hector Caubat of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) in Camp Crame is now fighting for his life at the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center in Marikina City.

Ricardo Sanico, alias Carding, 57, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead on arrival at a hospital.

Police said Caubat was talking to his friends at Sitio Taguisan in Barangay Bagong Nayon at about 7:45 p.m. Sunday when Sanico arrived and engaged the cop in a heated argument.

Caubat identified himself as policeman but this did not prevent Sanico from shooting him with an improvised shotgun.

Although wounded, Caubat returned fire with his service firearm.

Bystanders rushed the protagonists to the hospital.

Senior Superintendent Manuel Cesar Prieto, Rizal police provincial director ordered a deeper probe into the incident.