Cop gunned down, wife, one other wounded

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – A 33-year-old policeman died of multiple gunshot wounds while his wife and a civilian were injured in a shooting incident shortly after sundown Tuesday in the outskirts barangay of Taclobo in this city.

Police Officer 1 Jay Carpintero, a resident of Brgy. Cadawinonan in this city and assigned to the Quick Response Team of the Dumaguete Police, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Holy Child Hospital. His wife Rodelita survived the shooting and admitted at a hospital under tight police security.

Dumaguete Police chief, Supt. James Goforth, said initial investigation showed Carpintero took in at least four bullets although his body bore eight entry and exit wounds.

Carpintero was already returning home from work and was driving his motorcycle with his wife riding tandem around 6:45 p.m. when the incident happened. The two stopped at a gasoline station at Larena Drive in Taclobo for a refill on their way home when suddenly a man blocked their path and opened fire at them.

The policeman, already hit twice, still continued to drive away but the gunman pursued him on foot and continued firing until the couple fell off their motorcycle a few meters from the gasoline station, said Goforth.

The gunman then approached the fallen Carpintero and fired another shot before taking the latter’s M-4 baby armalite and fled from the scene. The policeman’s .45-caliber handgun was left tucked on his waist however.

The assailant then tried to commandeer a motorcycle from a civilian, Herth Josephus Cabanag, who was just passing through to buy food. Cabanag however resisted at gunpoint and tried to parry off the gun but was shot instead in the chest. The wounded Cabanag drove himself to the hospital for treatment.

The gunman finally escaped by taking another motorcycle, registered to a certain Margarette Hemogino of Brgy. Motong, which was found abandoned at Balili in Valencia town several hours later.

Investigators said the gunman’s face was not covered but witnesses described him to be wearing what appeared to be a military jacket and a ball cap.

Recovered from the crime scene were four spent shells of 9mm caliber, one deformed slug of an undetermined caliber, and Carpintero’s motorcycle.

Goforth said probers are now looking into various angles on the motive of the killing but he said it was most likely work-related.

Superintendent Alet Virtucio, Negros Oriental OIC provincial police director, has ordered the creation of a task force to focus on investigating the killing of Carpintero.  (FREEMAN)