Cops kill Siman’s ex-gambling administrator

BATANGAS, Philippines – An alleged former employee of suspected jueteng kingpin Victor Siman was killed after he purportedly tried to shoot it out with police officers who were serving a warrant for his arrest in San Juan town at dawn yesterday.

Fernando “Pandoy” Morales, 46, died from seven gunshot wounds after he allegedly pulled a gun on members of the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) and Batangas Provincial Intelligence Group who were arresting him for illegal possession of firearms.

Morales’ wife Merlita denounced the killing and claimed there was foul play. She said the policemen neither introduced themselves as lawmen nor showed them the warrant when they arrived at their house in Barangay Lipahan at around 2 a.m.

In an interview with journalists, Merlita admitted that her husband was a former administrator of Siman’s small town lottery (STL) operation in Calamba, Laguna.

However, Supt. Elpidio Ramirez, chief of San Juan police, refused to comment on the alleged link between Morales and Siman.

“We have yet to verify that information,” Ramirez told The STAR.

Merlita said the arresting team dragged her husband outside. She said the police ordered her, her child and two relatives to stay inside the house and to keep their heads down.

Moments later gunshots rang out. She rushed outside and found her husband’s body several meters from the house.

Merlita said she is wondering why members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) immediately arrived.

“Did that mean they already knew what’s going to happen? As far as I know, the SOCO usually arrive later,” she said.

Quoting the PPSC and the intel group, Ramirez said Morales tried to elude arrest by firing a .45-caliber gun, triggering a shootout.

Police recovered from the scene six empty shells, two live ammunitions, and the gun allegedly used by Morales.