Cop kills guitarist in shootout

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman shot dead a guitarist during an alleged shootout in Pasig City before dawn yesterday in the house of a woman who reportedly maintained a relationship with the two men.

Witnesses said Senior Inspector Narciso Cajipe Jr. was at the house of “Mitch,” a band member residing in Barangay Rosario, when guitarist Jonathan Nuydar, 21, and his companion, Orly Gagui, 29, a broker, arrived at 4:30 a.m.

Witnesses said Cajipe, Nuydar and Gagui engaged in a shouting match, with Mitch making no effort to defuse the tension.

At the height of the argument, Gagui allegedly pulled out a .45 caliber automatic pistol and shot at Cajipe but missed.

Cajipe fired back.

Nuydar sustained two bullet wounds in the thigh and died on the spot. Gagui was shot in the feet and is being treated at the Rizal Medical Center.

Cajipe, assigned at the District Investigation and Detective Management Division of the Eastern Police District, surrendered to the Pasig City police’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit. He chose to remain silent about the incident. – Non Alquitran