Manila cop's shooting linked to illegal drugs

MANILA, Philippines -  Investigators are eyeing illegal drugs as the motive in the shooting of an off-duty Manila policeman in Quiapo last Friday.

Probers also found out that Police Officer 2 Miguelito Potente, 40, lied about being shot in a passenger jeepney.

“We found out that Potente had a drinking session with suspected drug pushers when he was shot in the nape by one of his drinking buddies,” Sta. Cruz police station chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula told The STAR.

Potente, who survived the slay attempt, is currently under observation at the Chinese General Hospital.

Potente is detailed at the District Headquarters Support Unit of the Manila Police District after he was suspected of using illegal drugs. DHSU is the withholding unit of MPD personnel facing administrative charges.

Sapitula said it was Potente who named his assailant as a certain “Rex Maranaw.” Sapitula temporarily withheld the true identity of the suspect pending his arrest. Potente said his service firearm was also taken by Rex Maranaw after the shooting.

Meanwhile, police are questioning Maulana Lucman, a barangay tanod and son of barangay chairwoman Norhain Lucman of the Islamic Center, who reportedly recovered Potente’s firearm.

Sta. Mesa police station chief Superintendent Jimmy Tiu, who has jurisdiction over the Islamic Center, got the gun from the Lucmans.

Maulana said he was on patrol when he noticed a man with a bulge along his waistline wandering in their area. He seized the gun from the man, who ran away.

Sapitula said the recovered gun is Potente’s service firearm. Tiu initially told The STAR the gun was surrendered by an unnamed policeman from Mindanao through the barangay tanod.    – Nestor Etolle