Cop shot, wounded by angry motorists

Authorities are looking for four unidentified men after they allegedly shot and seriously wounded a 38-year-old policeman early yesterday morning in Quezon City just because they were asked to park their vehicle properly.

Victim PO3 Marcelo Lasam, a resident of 24 Carlos Street, Barangay Apolonio Samson, sustained bullet wounds in the body and is in critical condition at the Manila Central University Hospital.

The gunmen, armed with a homemade shotgun, fled right after the shooting on board a private jeep.

According to PO1 Edwin Dela Cruz, officer-on-case, Lasam was directing traffic along Edsa near the Balintawak public market.

At about 3 a.m., the four men arrived and parked their vehicle inappropriately. PO3 Lasam approached them and asked them to "move their jeep to allow the smooth flow of traffic."

Instead of complying, one of the men suddenly pulled out a firearm and shot the victim repeatedly, hitting him in the shoulder, arm, and both legs. The gunmen escaped.

The policeman collapsed on the sidewalk and writhed in pain before concerned citizens rushed him to the hospital. Follow-up operations are now being conducted by the police. – Matthew Estabillo