Shootout in Quiapo: One dead, 2 hurt

An early morning shootout in the Islamic Center in Quiapo, Manila left a suspected drug user dead and injury to a retired police official and the head of the Muslim peace and order council.

Western Police District homicide section chief Senior Inspector Dominador Arevalo Jr. identified the fatality as Morog Karel, 22, single, jobless, a native of Lanao del Sur, and a resident of 645 Carlos Palanca street in Quiapo.

Morog sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the body and died on the spot.

Those wounded were identified as Datu Amerol-Guiam Ambiong, 55, head of the Metro Manila Muslim Peace and Order Council, of 111-648 Carlos Palanca street, Quiapo; and retired police Superintendent Macacna Datu-Iman Lucman, 57, of 645 Carlos Palanca street, Quiapo.

Ambiong is currently recuperating at the UST Hospital for a gunshot wound in the abdomen, while Lucman was rushed to the Medical Center Manila due to gunshot wounds on both legs.

Investigations conducted by SPO2 Steve Casimiro showed that at about 8 a.m. yesterday, police rushed to the Islamic Center in Quiapo, Manila following reports of indiscriminate firing.

However, a search of the area for the possible apprehension of the suspect proved futile.

When the police left, Lucman reportedly continued his search until he met Karel, with guns in both hands, in front of the Marawi Lodging and Restaurant along Talipapa street at the Islamic Center.

Witnesses said the two were overheard exchanging harsh words, followed by sound of gunfire.

When the smoke cleared, Karel was left bloodied and sprawled on the ground, while Lucman was bloodied on both legs.

Ambiong, who was at the scene conducting his own inquiry on the indiscriminate firing, was caught in the crossfire and was hit on the abdomen.

Casimiro said Karel was a known drug user in the Islamic Center. Investigators are now conducting inquiries on the cause of Karel’s firing. Meanwhile, appropriate charges are now being prepared against Lucman.