Gunrunning suspect shot dead

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected gunrunner was killed in an encounter with police officers in Parañaque City Wednesday night.

Parañaque police chief Senior Superintendent Alfredo Valdez identified the suspect as Romeo Gutierrez Jr., 29, a resident of Barangay Bangkal, Makati City.

Acting on a tip that members of a gunrunning syndicate would be doing business near a gas station along Macapagal Boulevard, policemen led by Senior Police Officer 2 Sergio Antonino went to the area at around 8:30 p.m.

Antonino’s group spotted Gutierrez sitting in the driver’s seat of a silver Mitsubishi Delica (XBJ-825).

As they were about to approach Gutierrez, the suspect sped off but hit a black Ford Expedition (WRS-741) driven by Stephen Cheng.

The suspect then turned the car around, drove towards the direction of Pasay City and shot at the pursuing lawmen. This prompted policemen to retaliate, and a bullet hit Gutierrez in the head. His car rammed the center island.

Antonino and his men brought Gutierrez to the San Juan de Dios Hospital, where the suspect died during treatment.

Recovered from the scene were a .45 caliber pistol and magazine, and the Delica used by the suspect.   – Rhodina Villanueva