Manila cop shot; attacker steals, returns gun

A lone gunman shot an off-duty Manila policeman who was on his way home in a passenger jeepney early morning Friday in Quiapo.

Police Officer 2 Miguelito Potente, 40, detailed at the District Headquarters Support Unit of the Manila Police District, is in critical condition at the Chinese General Hospital for a gunshot wound in the nape, with the bullet lodged in his skull. DHSU is the withholding unit of MPD personnel facing administrative charges, but it was not clear what charges Potente faces.

According to a report by Sta. Cruz police station chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, the jeepney ridden by Potente had stopped to pick up passengers along Hidalgo street in Quiapo when the suspect came from behind and shot him pointblank in the nape. When Potente fell, the gunman – identified by witnesses as a certain “Rex Maranaw” – took his service firearm and walked away.

Sapitula said the police are still determining the motive for the shooting.

Meanwhile, Sta. Mesa police station chief Superintendent Jimmy Tiu said Potente’s service firearm, a .9 mm caliber pistol, was surrendered to the police by a barangay official of the Islamic Center.

An unnamed policeman from Mindanao reportedly surrendered the firearm through the barangay official’s son.

However, Tiu said the police have yet to determine whether the gun is the same firearm taken by the man who shot Potente.

“We will also invite the official’s son to identify the alleged Mindanao policeman who surrendered the gun and his participation, if any, in the shooting,” Tiu said.