MPD officers cleared in Quiapo shootout probe

Officials cleared Manila police operatives yesterday over complaints by members of a Muslim community of an alleged "bungled" police operation which claimed the life of a 19-year-old pedicab driver in Quiapo last week.

An investigation conducted by the General Assignment Section of the Manila Police District showed that Ali Abdullah was killed by a stray bullet when a group of heavily armed Muslim men engaged Manila policemen in a 20-minute firefight last Wednesday night along C. Palanca street in Quiapo.

However, probers failed to establish who accidentally shot Abdullah after his relatives refused to have the victim autopsied.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza has ordered a probe on allegations by some Muslim residents that there was no shootout and that the victim was killed by a "policeman."

A ranking Muslim official and several Muslim elders earlier confirmed that there was actually a shootout , saying they personally witnessed several unidentified men firing at Manila policemen.

Mohammad Tanggote, director of Metro Manila’s Office of the Muslim Affairs, said the gunfight started when police arrested barangay councilman Amir Casan.

Casan’s relatives and supporters fired at the police when they mistakenly heard that he was shot by arresting policemen.

Tanggote, who is also the overseer of the Golden Mosque at the Muslim community, said he had to close the gate of the mosque as angry Muslims wanted to attack the policemen.

"Casan’s relatives and followers were furious when they heard that he was shot. Then I heard successive shots coming from both sides," Tanggote said.

Retired Army Maj. Teng Macaraya, who also lives in the Islamic compound, said he looked out the window when he heard gunfire.

Macaraya said he saw two Muslim men, whom he failed to identify, firing in the direction of the policemen.

He described the response on the news of Casan’s shooting as an "abnormal reaction."

Tanggote said during their ocular inspection, he found bullet marks in areas where police officers took cover, indicating that there were shots coming from the opposite direction.

Operatives of the MPD’s Homicide Section rushed to C. Palanca street in Quiapo last Wednesday night after receiving reports that armed men, allegedly responsible for a series of killings and robberies, were seen gathering in the area.

When the armed men were accosted, Casan sought assistance from his fellow Muslims and even dropped to the pavement to make it appear he was being fired upon by the officers.

His actions triggered a 20-minute firefight between police and the armed Muslim group.

Several police cars were damaged.

Apart from Casan, also arrested were five Muslim men. Three caliber .45 pistols and ammunition were seized.

Casan, also a civilian agent of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was released after he was able to show proper documents for his firearm.