‘Narco cop’ slain in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — A recently reinstated policeman, allegedly a high-value target in the government’s war against illegal drugs, was gunned down in front of his relatives and friends in Tondo, Manila before dawn yesterday.

Police Officer 2 Carlo Pineda, 47, was drinking with his neighbors near his home on Varona street when four still unidentified men on motorcycles attacked at around 1:40 a.m.

The assailants fired several shots, most of them hitting Pineda in the chest, before speeding toward Herbosa street, witnesses told police.

Pineda’s relatives rushed him to Mary Johnston Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Superintendent Jay Dimaandal, Manila Police District (MPD) Station 1 commander, said eight empty shells and four fired bullets from a .45 caliber pistol were recovered from the scene.

High-value target

A source said Pineda came from drinking with several policemen at a bar in Malate and then had more drinks with his neighbors on his way home.

Pineda was formerly with the MPD and was transferred to the Malabon City police. After several cases were filed against him, Pineda was dropped from the roster but was reinstated on Sept. 13, 2017.

The same source told The STAR that Pineda was reportedly a high-value target but his colleagues at the MPD homicide section said they did not know why.

The spot report stated that Pineda was assigned to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Regional Police Holding and Accounting Unit but he was reportedly with the MPD’s holding and accounting unit and wanted to be reassigned to the MPD homicide section.

An NCRPO official, who declined to be identified, confirmed that Pineda was indeed an “HVT” but did not elaborate.

MPD spokesman Superintendent Erwin Margarejo said a deeper investigation is being conducted regardless of the victim’s status.

“He was still a police officer after all,” he said.

Dimaandal said they have started looking into Pineda’s background and his possible involvement in questionable activities.

2 alleged dealers dead in shootouts

In Quezon City, two suspected drug dealers were killed in an alleged shootout with policemen yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel Jr., director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), said the suspects, identified by their aliases as Ariel and Toto, reportedly pulled out their handguns after they sensed they were transacting with an undercover police officer.

The alleged gun battle happened along Montana Service Road in Barangay Immaculate Concepcion at around 1:25 a.m.

Probers recovered two .38 caliber revolvers, 18 sachets of shabu, assorted drug paraphernalia and P500 in cash from the scene of the shootout.

In Pasig City, construction worker Alfredo Baderes, 44, is in critical condition after he was shot by an unidentified assailant near the intersection of United and Sheridan streets in Barangay Kapitolyo yesterday.

Baderes is on the police watchlist as a drug pusher and user.

Probers have yet to determine if the attempt on Baderes’ life is related to his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.– With Emmanuel Tupas