Police Officer 1 Arnel Capistrano, detailed at the Philippine National Police- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), was taken to the UERM Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound in the stomach.
The fatality was identified as Laureano Padrigo, 51, of Unit 5, Purok 10, Adaama street in Quezon City. He was the driver of a white Toyota Corolla taxi (PXF-478).
Responding barangay tanods helped Capistrano arrest one of the suspects, identified as Salvador Ortelano, 28, of San Jose, Caloocan City. His companion, who was shot in the shoulder managed to escape.
Investigation showed that the shooting took place at around 12:05 a.m. near the corner of Mauro and Peña streets in Sampaloc.
The two suspects earlier flagged down the taxi and asked to be taken to Mauro street.
Upon reaching the destination, the suspects announced a holdup. The driver, however, put up a fight, forcing one of the suspects to shoot him repreatedly.
Capistrano, who happened to be passing by the area, heard the commotion and immediately pursued the suspects.
During the chase, the suspects opened fire at Capistrano, hitting him in the stomach. Although hurt, Capistrano retaliated and hit one of the suspects.
The wounded suspect managed to escape, but barangay tanods cornered his companion.
In Cubao, Quezon City, a 26-year-old tricycle driver was killed at dawn yesterday after he tried to come to the rescue of a woman shouting for help.
Police identified the victim as Dennis Joaquin, of East Road, Murphy. Physicians at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center declared him dead on arrival from gun shot wounds in the body.
The Central Police District-Criminal Investigation Unit (CPD-CIU) said the incident took place at about 3 a.m. at the corner of E. Benitez street and P. Tuazon, Barangay Kaunlaran.
Even before Joaquin could ask the distressed woman what the trouble was, he was shot several times by unidentified men.
Initial investigation revealed that the woman was seen chasing a taxi that had no license plates. Four male suspects were on board the taxi.
Investigators said the woman may have been a victim of a gang that works with taxi drivers and preys on passengers. – With Katherine Andraneda