SWAT officer killed in road mishap

A member of the Southern Police District-Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SPD-SWAT) team was killed in a road accident in Parañaque City the other day.

Police Officer 1 Rolando Padojinog, 31, of Doña Paz Subdivision, Pulang Lupa, Las Piñas City, died after his service motorcycle (SG-5643) rammed the steel railing on the center island of Dr. A. Santos Avenue (formerly Sucat Road) at around 12:20 a.m. last Monday, police said.

Prober PO3 Jose Adducul said the victim, who was not wearing a helmet, broke his skull when his head hit the railing. Padojinog was in uniform and wearing a bull cap, required for all SWAT operatives.

He was on his way home when he lost control of the vehicle, resulting in the accident in front of SM Sucat.

Adducul said they will conduct a thorough investigation as to why the accident took place, considering there were ample lighting on the road.

SPD director Chief Superintendent Prospero Noble Jr. said Padojinog may have been too tired or the motorcycle may have developed engine trouble. He said his man was not drunk at the time of the incident.

Noble said the incident should serve as a warning to all motorists not to ignore safety measures while driving.

The SPD chief added he would strictly implement a measure that would require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. – Edu Punay