Cop, soldier shoot it out in Taguig; onlooker killed

Police are investigating a shootout involving a Makati policeman and a member of the Philippine Army that resulted in the death of a 48-year-old man in Signal Village in Taguig City shortly after midnight Friday.

Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan, Taguig Police chief, identified the victim as Elpidio Monreal, who was hit when he accompanied Ssgt. Romeo Funtanar, who exchanged gunshots with Police Officer 3 Gerardo Dacoco.

 Initial investigation showed that at about 12:30 a.m., Dacoco was with his girlfriend, Annalyn Rama Mabalo, when he saw a group of boys engaged in a drinking session along 3rd Street in Signal Village. He reportedly confronted the group regarding the loss of his motorcycle tools earlier.

However, Funtanar and Monreal arrived at the scene and confronted Dacoco regarding a previous misunderstanding.

This resulted in an argument that led to an exchange of gunfire. Monreal sustained several gunshot wounds in different parts of the body while Dacoco suffered a gunshot wound in the left leg.

Monreal was brought to the Rizal Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival by attending doctors. Dacoco was rushed to the Ospital ng Makati.

Responding policemen apprehended Funtanar and seized a .45 caliber pistol from him.

Cascolan said a follow-up investigation is being conducted to determine how the firefight started and who started it.