Cop linked to Boratong  killed in ambush

One of 21 policemen tagged by a witness as protectors of alleged Pasig City shabu operator Amin Imam Boratong was gunned down yesterday by two motorcycle-riding gunmen wearing masks while he was about to report for work.

Police Officer 2 Roland Faraon, 28, of Barangay Sumilang sustained eight gunshot wounds in the body and head. He died on the spot.

“We are still in the process of gathering witnesses. What I know is that he was linked to Boratong but we have no evidence as yet that illegal drugs has something to do with his death,” Pasig City police chief Senior Superintendent Francisco Uyami Jr. said.

Faraon, who was assigned at the Regional Headquarters Service and Support Group (RHSSG) at the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City, was in his white Mitsubishi Lancer (WAF-212) when he was waylaid along Dr. M. Flores street in Barangay Bagong Ilog at about 7:15 a.m., Uyami said.

“He (Faraon) was negotiating a left turn towards C5 Road when the gunman riding tandem on a motorcycle opened fire in his direction,” he said.

Quoting witnesses, Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz, who rushed to the site after receiving the ambush report, said the gunman opened fire in front of the car, at its left side and at the back.

When the vehicle came to a sudden stop, De la Cruz said the gunman got off the motorcycle, walked to the driver’s side and finished Faraon off with two more bullets.

De la Cruz said they are investigating reports that two other suspects, also riding tandem on a motorcycle, acted as “lookouts” during the ambush.

Uyami said witnesses failed to jot down the plate number of the motorcycle used by the gunmen.

“Witnesses failed to get a good view of the suspects face because they are wearing bonnets and black jackets,” he said.

Responding Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered eight slugs from a .45 caliber pistol inside Faraon’s vehicle.

Uyami said Faraon was carrying two nine-millimeter pistols. They are still determining whether Faraon was able to fire them.

Records showed that Faraon was one of the 21 Pasig City policemen named by government witness Samer Palao as protectors of Boratong, who reportedly owned a shabu tiangge (flea market) on F. Soriano street in Sitio Mapayapa, which was raided by government agents on Feb. 10, 2006.

Because of Palao’s testimony, the 21 policemen were charged administratively by the NCRPO but were later exonerated.

Since Palao mentioned their names, the 21 policemen were religiously reporting for work at the RHSSG, except PO2 Ramil Along, who has gone absent without official leave (AWOL).

NCRPO chief Director Geary Barias has issued an order transferring 16 of the 21 policemen outside Metro Manila but it was not yet known whether Faraon was one of them.

Police said Faraon’s wife, Abigail, is five months pregnant.