Patrol cop killed in Pasay shootout

A policeman was killed in a shootout with robbers early yesterday in Pasay City.

Senior Police Officer 1 Larry Bernal, of the Southern Police District Mobile Patrol Division, died on the spot after he sustained three gunshot wounds in the chest and abdomen.

Initial investigation showed that Bernal was on board a patrol vehicle on EDSA corner E. Rodriguez street with SPO1 Nestor Lasala at around 2 a.m. when they spotted two suspicious looking men.

The policemen approached the two men, who immediately scampered in different directions, prompting Bernal and Lasala to give chase.

Police said Bernal was met by a gunfire as he closed in on the suspect. He retaliated, leading to a firefight.

When the smoke cleared, the policeman was lying bloodied on the pavement. The wounded suspect flagged down a taxi which took him to the Makati Medical Center.

After receiving a report on the incident, operatives from the city police station, led by Superintendent Rolando Torres, were able to locate the suspect at the hospital. He was identified as Celito Homecillo, 38, of Barangay Rizal in Makati City.

Police Officer 3 Alberto Sombilon said witnesses positively identified Homecillo as the cop killer. He sustained four gunshot wounds in different parts of the body.

The suspect’s caliber .38 handgun was found in the back seat of a Six Brothers taxi (PYV-626) driven by Guillermo Magat.

Police arrested Homecillo and are preparing charges against him.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Rosendo Franco commended the bravery of Bernal, whom he said died in line of duty.

PO2 Andido Gardiano said Bernal was a big loss to their patrol team because he was "very cheerful and a very good man." Police officials said necessary citations would be given to the officer.