2 cops in road rage slay charged

Manila, Philippines — Criminal charges have been filed against two police officers tagged in the road rage killing of an Army soldier in Marikina City, an official said yesterday.

City police chief Col. Restituto Arcangel said they filed homicide charges against M/Sgt. Demetrio Magpali Jr. and M/Sgt. Edward Yap, both assigned with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, for the death of S/Sgt. Marvin Balucas.

“Closed-circuit television footage showed the suspects at the scene of the crime. The charges were based on what we saw on the CCTV footage,” Arcangel told The STAR.

Witnesses said the policemen were on a motorcycle along Bonifacio Avenue when they were reportedly blocked by Balucas, who was also on a motorcycle, upon making a turn at the Riverbanks Center.

Arcangel said CCTV footage obtained by police showed the policemen and Balucas engaged in a firefight over a traffic altercation.

“The three got off their motorcycles and had a heated argument,” Arcangel said.

Balucas reportedly fired several times at Yap, prompting Magpali to retaliate, killing the soldier at the scene.

Police said Magpali and Yap also suffered gunshots to the body and are now recuperating at the Chinese General Hospital in Manila.