Cops go on shooting spree; 1 dead, 2 hurt

A female vendor was killed, while two others were wounded when two policemen reportedly went on a shooting spree following a dispute with a group of teenagers in Tondo, Manila shortly after midnight yesterday.

Responding policemen nabbed one of the suspects identified as Police Officer 2 Daniel Villanueva, assigned at the Special Action Force (SAF) in Bicutan, Taguig.

The other suspect, PO2 Allan Trinidad, of the same police unit, reportedly failed to report for work after the incident, according to Chief Inspector Alejandro Yanquiling, chief of the Manila Police District’s homicide section.

Investigators said the two SAF officers, who were allegedly drunk at the time, confronted a group of teenagers who were eating at the corner of P. Herrera and Wagas streets in Tondo at 12:30 a.m.

After words were exchanged, the policemen challenged the youths to a fight. Out of fear, the teenagers scampered in different directions.

The two policemen allegedly pulled out their guns and started to fire at the fleeing youths. The shots hit three female vendors along the street.

Rushed to the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital were Carmelita Billiones, 51, and Analyn Maglangcay, 25. The former expired while undergoing treatment for three gunshot wounds in the body.

Amelita Quismundo, 46, was initially brought to the Mary Johnston Hospital, but was later transferred to the Orthopedic Hospital, where she is now under observation.

At police headquarters, Villanueva denied firing at the victims and pointed to Trinidad as the one who could have shot the three women.

"Paitaas lang ang putok ko. Warning shots lang. Baka si Trinidad ang nakatama sa kanila," Villanueva told police investigators. He refused to talk further and opted to wait for his lawyer.

Yanquiling said the service firearm of Villanueva would be subjected to ballistic tests.