Retiring officer killed at police headquarters

Veteran Pasig City intelligence officer SPO2 Reynaldo Gonzales, who was looking forward to his retirement in the next 10 months, became another victim of senseless killing yesterday.

Gonzales, a desk officer and supervisor of the Police Community Precinct 3 (PCP 3) in Barangay Bambang, was shot dead by a mentally-deranged man inside the police headquarters.

"Mabait na tao ‘yan. Magreretiro na kaya’t desk officer na lang, tapos nasalisihan pa," said SPO4 Felixberto Maog, PCP 3 commander of Gonzales, of Interior San Jose St., Pandacan, Manila.

The suspect, Flodelito Gabriel, 31, of Saha Compound, Barangay Bambang was surrendered by his father, a tanod, along with the improvised caliber .22 rifle he used in killing Gonzales.

According to Maog, Gonzales during his stint as intelligence officer of the Eastern Police District (EPD) in the ‘80’s figured prominently in the fight against the communist movement and criminal syndicates. "Nakipaglaban siya ng husto at maraming awards siyang natanggap doon," Maog said of Gonzales feats.

But in the ’90s, Gonzales returned to his mother unit in the Pasig City police force. "Alam n’yo naman dito sa PCP panay patrol-patrol lang ang trabaho. Ginawa ko siyang taong opisina dahil magreretiro na siya sa Agosto," said Maog.

Gabriel was a frequent visitor at the police precinct.

Because of his mental condition, policemen, including Gonzales, would take pity on him and often offer him cigarettes and snacks.

But yesterday morning, Gabriel arrived at the police precinct carrying a gun wrapped in a newspaper.

Without warning, he shot the surprised Gonzales, who was standing in front of the building.

Although wounded, Gonzales rushed inside police headquarters, but Gabriel followed him and shot him in the head.

Gabriel escaped but was surrendered by his father minutes later.

Maog rushed Gonzales to the Rizal Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival.

Police are set to file murder charges against Gabriel, who is presently detained at the Pasig City police detention center. — Non Alquitran