Cop escapes ambush try

CEBU, Philippines - A police officer survived an ambush attempt by three unidentified men riding a motorcycle without a license plate in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City yesterday.

One of the men allegedly called Senior Police Officer 2 Jose Donoso “Opaw” twice before firing at him while he was driving his Toyota Grandia.

The window of Donoso’s vehicle was shattered by the bullets but Donoso, who is assigned at Highway Patrol Group-7, was unharmed.

Senior Inspector Peter Heartzel Bellido, Mabolo Police Station chief, said that at 8:16 a.m. yesterday, Donoso was traversing M. J. Cuenco Avenue when a motorcycle with three ri-ders caught his attention.

The motorcycle, Bellido said, overtook Donoso while he was still in Mandaue City but the HPG-7 policeman did not mind it until they reached Mabolo.

One of the suspects allegedly called him “Opaw” and then the glass of his left side window suddenly shattered.

Donoso reported the attempt to the Mabolo Police Station. Bellido said the three men were not wearing helmets and were not acting suspiciously prior to the attack.

A roadblock was immediately organized after Donoso reported what happened but the three men were nowhere to be found.

Bellido said there are plenty of exit points around the area, making it difficult for responding policemen to coral the three men.

Bellido and his men are coordinating with Cebu City government to possibly retrieve a closed-circuit television footage of the area for the possible identification of the three men.

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, Police Regional Office 7 director, said he would call attention of Cebu City Police Office Director Noli Romana as to why no police operatives were visible in the area.

“I wait for the official report of his (Donoso) head.  We will look into the possible motives on the attempt on his life.  It could be work related or personal,” Bañas said.  (FREEMAN)