Wanted cop still in hospital

Manila police director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong said one of his men, who allegedly shot dead two civilians and seriously wounded two others, including a Las Piñas cop during a birthday party in Canlubang, Laguna, will be turned over to investigators as soon as he recovers from his own injuries.

Bulaong made the claim amid reports that Police Officer 1 Jonathan Baugh now appears to be in hiding after the shooting incident. Baugh is being treated for a gunshot wound in the back and is confined in a Manila hospital, which his superior, Sta. Cruz police station commander, Senior Superintendent Ramulo Sapitula, requested to be withheld for security reasons.

Sapitula said Baugh is in danger of being killed too, prompting the deployment of policemen to secure the latter and also to prevent him from escaping. Baugh is assigned at the Sta. Cruz police station’s Anti-Illegal Drugs unit.

"He promised that he would not try to escape although he does not want to discuss the case in detail right now. At a proper time he will surrender and give his statement accompanied by his lawyer," Sapitula told The STAR.

Baugh reportedly went on a shooting rampage during a drinking session a birthday party at Purok 2, Sitio Asia Palau, Canlubang. The wounded cop, Senior Police Officer 4 Nicolas Maano, allegedly doubted Baugh’s police identity, which prompted an insulted Baugh to go to his car and get his police identification card.

But Baugh reportedly opened fire with his caliber .9mm pistol at the party guests while at the same time flashing his police identification card before them.

Laborer Rodel Dumalaog and tricycle driver Fernando Bagnes died of multiple gunshot wounds while another civilian tricycle driver Reynaldo Paquinto was also wounded with Maano. Baugh escaped after the shooting incident.

Sapitula said Baugh was shot in the back by Maano.

"It was self-defense," said the Sta. Cruz police chief. But Sapitula could not explain how the civilians got killed.