8 Manila cops face raps for Delpan shootout

Eight Manila policemen are facing multiple charges in connection with the reported shootout with alleged members of the “Waray-Waray” robbery gang at the Delpan Bridge in Tondo on April 23.

Charges of six counts of homicide, two counts of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and less serious physical injury were filed against Senior Inspector Arnulfo Ibañez, Inspector Roberto Macabeo, Senior Police Officers 1 Hector Gubatura, Edwin Harris and Eduardo Langcay, PO2 Roberto Benitez and POs1 Beverly Gasmen and Rodolfo Mayo Jr.

The eight police officers reportedly engaged seven suspected “Waray-Waray” rob gang members in a shootout, which resulted in the death of six suspects and two civilians and the wounding of a male bystander.

“It is an SOP (standard operating procedure) for the police to file corresponding charges regardless of who are involved. It is up to the prosecutor to determine the criminal liability of the respondents,” Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo Jr. who heads the homicide section of the Manila Police District said.

The eight policemen were recently commended and given cash gifts by acting Manila Mayor Isko Moreno for the neutralization of the “Waray-Waray” gang.   

The six slain suspects were identified as  Mario Fabillar, 28; Rudy Singke, 33; Jonar Montilla, 27; Rodolfo Jamer, 37; Abriel Luciano, 28; and Romeo Luciano, 44.

Except for Abriel, who was reportedly a former military personnel and the alleged leader of the group, relatives of the slain suspects said they were innocent. Their kin claimed Singke worked as a construction worker, Montilla as a scavenger and Jamer as a laborer.

Investigators said Abriel was wearing a camouflage military shirt during the shootout. According to information gathered by the police about the gang, the leader reportedly wears military uniform and sits at the front of the vehicle to forestall routine checks at police checkpoints.

Witnesses Arnel Catalan and Elizaldo Canarez, who was hit by a stray bullet, said they saw an armed suspect shoot Asia Brewery driver Victor Cayari, 30; and operations manager Rolando Natividad, 50. The suspect eventually escaped at the height of the shootout.