Rob suspect shot dead, cop knifed

A police officer assigned at the Tondo police station was seriously wounded after he was stabbed by an unidentified robber whom he shot dead yesterday morning.

The wounded police officer was identified as Police Officer 3 Ronnie Sanchez of the Asuncion Police Community Precinct.

Sketchy reports said Sanchez was rushed to the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital after suffering stab wounds in the chest, back and left side. He is now undergoing observation.

Police said the unidentified suspect died upon arrival at the Mary Johnston Hospital. Police reports said Sanchez was on routine patrol along Juan Luna and Dagupan streets in Tondo when he spotted four unidentified men robbing a woman at about 11:50 a.m.

Sanchez, with his drawn 9 mm service pistol came to the woman’s aid but was ganged-up by the suspects. One of the suspects, armed with a knife, stabbed the policeman. During the scuffle, however, Sanchez managed to fire at one of his attackers, killing him instantly.

Police said the other suspects fled on foot after seeing their companion dead. It was unclear whether the other suspects managed to escape with the woman’s valuables.

As these developed, a 42-year-old manager of a heavy equipment firm was robbed of at least P500,000 and a cellular phone by two armed robbers in Sta. Ana, Manila, last Thursday.

Reports said Edgar de Vera, parts and service manager of the Luteral Heavy Equipment Services, was driving his car along New Panaderos street at about 2:15 p.m. when his path was blocked by two men riding tandem aboard a black motorcycle without license plates.

The suspects, armed with revolvers, ordered the victim to stop and at gunpoint, grabbed his bag containing the cash and a Nokia 3310 cellphone. The suspects fled on board their motorbike. – Mike Frialde with Maja Lyn Tabora, Chairmaine Joy Agillon and Grace Ramos