Nelson Morales

Cop shot dead, 2 bystanders injured in suspected robbery attempt in Pasay City

Article (news)

Jessie Cruzat

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — A police officer was shot and killed in what is believed to have been robbery attempt while he was waiting for his wife in Pasay City around 8 p.m. Saturday, August 23.The incident happened along Taft Avenue corner Primero de Mayo Street in Barangay 90. According to authorities, the victim was a 39-year-old officer from the District Tactical Operations Center (DTOC) of the Manila Police District.On the CCTV footage obtained by ABS-CBN News, the victim was seen sitting on his motorcycle while waiting for his wife, when a man wearing a helmet approached him from behind and drew a gun.Before the gunman could open fire, the officer managed to pull out his own weapon and attempted to run. A brief exchange of gunfire ensued, but the officer was eventually shot and collapsed along the sidewalk.The suspect immediately fled the scene.Police Col. Joselito De Sesto, Pasay City Police chief, said the motive for the shooting was robbery.“Ito po kasing mga suspek natin, umikot na po sila. Nakita nila na merong kwintas, umikot sila tapos dumaan sa likod. At that time, akmang kukunin ng suspek ‘yong necklace napansin naman ng ating victim, lumayo siya sabay bunot,” Col. De Sesto said.(These suspects had been going around and they saw the officer was wearing a necklace. They tried to snatch it from behind, but the victim noticed, stepped back and drew his gun)The victim was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead from least four gunshot wounds.A streetsweeper who witnessed the incident said the officer would regularly wait in that area to fetch his wife from work.“Nangangatog na nga ho ako. Sobrang nerbyos gano’n. Nakabulagta na po ‘yong pulis. Ngayon gumaganti ng putok sa suspek habang patakbo ‘yong suspek. Hinahabol niya ng putok. Talagang diretso higa na siya e,” the witness recounted.(I was trembling from fear. I saw the police officer on the ground. The gunman was shooting at him while running away. The police officer was on the ground as soon as the shooting started)Two civilians riding a tricycle that happened to pass by during the shooting were also injured but are now in stable condition, according to police.Authorities are also investigating the possibility that the incident may be linked to the shooting of an intelligence officer from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Makati City earlier this month.“Kasi pare-parehas po ‘yong kanilang modus operandi. Kukunin ang gamit, kapag pumalag babarilin,” Col. De Sesto added.(It is the same modus operandi. They would try to steal an item and shoot in case of resistance)The motorcycle driver believed to have assisted in the crime was arrested in a hot pursuit operation conducted by the Pasay City Police.The gunman, however, remains at large.<div> </div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/In9oNujyKOs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

A police officer was shot and killed in a suspected robbery attempt while waiting for his wife in Pasay City on around 8 p.m. Saturday, August 23.

A police officer was shot and killed in a suspected robbery attempt while waiting for his wife in Pasay City on around 8 p.m. Saturday, August 23.