Rookie cop mauled in bus

A rookie cop was mauled and wounded yesterday by bus personnel who mistook him for a fake officer trying to avoid payment of bus fare.

PO1 Daniel Floresco Jr., of 76 Barangay Monserrat, Magarao, Camarines Sur, assigned at Camp Karingal in Quezon City, sustained a knife wound in the left hand and bruises all over the body.

Floresco boarded a Footprints bus with plate number TVX-376 in Sucat, Paranaque City to report for duty at about 10:30 Saturday night. The bus was driven by Roel Coloma, 31, and the conductor was Felixberto Comon, 26, both of Bagong Silang, Caloocan City.

When Comon tried to collect his fare, the cop introduced himself as a policeman. Comon, however, doubted Floresco and asked for his ID. After examining it, Comon told Floresco that he was a phony. After a brief exchange of words, the cop offered to pay.

But instead of accepting the money, Comon attacked Floresco with a dagger. Bus mechanic Dominique Pablo, 24, also of Bagong Silang, Caloocan, reportedly helped Comon and grabbed his firearm. The commotion caused panic and passengers told the driver to stop and let them off. After they alighted, Coloma sped off.

Upon reaching Bagong Silang, at about 12 a.m., the wounded Floresco jumped off the vehicle and sought the assistance of policemen nearby. The cops apprehended Coloma, Comon and Pablo and seized from them Floresco’s firearm and the dagger allegedly used in attacking and wounding the policeman. – Pete Laude