Manila cops told to shoot 'jumper' gang men on sight

MANILA, Philippines - Police issued yesterday a shoot-to-kill order against the alleged leaders of illegal power connection syndicate in Binondo, Manila after a resident was murdered for being an informant.

“They are armed and dangerous, so I have issued an order to my pursuing policemen to shoot them if they resist arrest,” Meisic police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut said.

A witness has identified Dundie Corpin, alias Baldo; Edgar Rioferio, alias Tambobo; and one alias “Jonjon” as the suspects in the shooting of Ricky Moreno at the Parola Compound last Monday. Moreno succumbed to gunshot wounds three days later.

The suspects are the alleged leaders of the syndicate that supplies illegal power connection to Parola residents for a fee. The syndicate reportedly nets hundreds of thousand pesos every month for their illegal activity.   

Corpin was tagged by residents as “Robin Hood of Tondo” as he supplies power free of charge to residents who cannot afford their dues. He was also the prime suspect in a Binondo shootout last January where four children were hit by stray bullets.

Corpin, who was earlier identified by barangay officials as King Iver Gaten, reportedly joined forces with Rioferio after the latter got out of prison. He was arrested by Yabut and his men in 2008 for allegedly supplying the illegal power connection in Parola.

Yabut has coordinated with personnel of the Manila Electric Company for the removal of illegal power connection at the Parola Compound.– Nestor Etolle