Bodyguard of PNP chief killed trying to stop amok in Caloocan

An off-duty security aide of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane, was killed after responding to a resident’s call to pacify an armed man running amuck in their neighborhood Thursday afternoon in Caloocan City.

Senior Superintendent Leo Garra, newly installed Caloocan City police chief, identified the victim as SPO1 Rolando "Bebot" Morales of the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, with last known address at 55 Everlasting street, Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City.

Morales’ second cousin, PO2 Jonard Morales of the Northern Police District Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) team told The STAR the victim was a former operative of the Caloocan City Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU).

SOCO medico-legal officer Chief Inspector Filemon Porciuncula, who performed the autopsy, said Morales succumbed to severe loss of blood caused by a stab wound in the left chest.

An 11-inch knife used by suspect Romy Morada alias Luminad Catanoy, 36, single, jobless, native of Leyte and resident of Bagong Bario, cut a major artery of Morales’ heart.

Morales also sustained stab wounds in the left arm and left shoulder blade abrasions on the head, right knee and left foot.

PO1 Marlon Bingayen, on case, said in his report that the incident occurred at around 1:30 p.m. at the corner of Everlasting and Gladiola streets.

Morada first stabbed Vergel del Rosario, 37, of Pampanga street, Caloocan City. Morales, who lived in the neighborhood, was sought for assistance by a resident and quickly responded

He tried to persuade Morada to put down his knife and peacefully surrender. Morada, instead, assaulted Morales, stabbing him in the chest and in other parts of his body.

As he lay dying on the ground, Morales still managed to draw his gun and fired at his assailant, hitting him in the chest and right leg.

Operatives from Police Community Precinct 1 rushed both victims and the suspect to the MCU Hospital.

Morales was pronounced dead on arrival at 3:18 p.m. the same day. Del Rosario and Morada are still confined and are said to be still in critical condition.

Cases of homicide and frustrated homicide are being readied against the suspect. – With Pete Laude