Ex-cop turned pusher killed in shootout

A former policeman who allegedly turned to drug dealing was killed in a shootout with Taguig City police the other day.

Manny Fernandez, who had a rank of PO4 before being dismissed from police service for undisclosed reasons, was declared dead on arrival at Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City after he sustained two gunshot wounds in the head and another two in the thigh.

Police said operatives of Station Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force had conducted surveillance operations in Barangay Sta. Ana after receiving information from an asset that the suspect was continuing his illegal operations in the area.

At around 5:45 p.m., Fernandez saw the approaching policemen on Faculty street and opened fire, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate.

When the smoke cleared, the suspect lay bloodied on the pavement with several gunshot wounds. A caliber .38 revolver was recovered at the scene.

Taguig police chief Superintendent Ramon Reyes said there was a standing arrest warrant against Fernandez for killing an Air Force serviceman in 1993.

The suspect was also convicted in a double-murder case and was sentenced to two life terms.

Reyes said that despite a manhunt, Fernandez had successfully eluded police.

"But we were able to recover shabu and drug paraphernalia from his safe houses," he said.

Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga earlier directed the local police to wage an all-out war against the proliferation of illegal drugs.

Tinga reiterated that people’s participation is vital for the local government and police to curb criminality. – Edu Punay