'Killer cop' leads P1.5-million Ermita heist; 1 dead

MANILA, Philippines - A former policeman with a P.350-M bounty on his head for kidnapping and homicide was seen leading a group of at least four men who robbed a money exchange shop courier of P1.5 million and killed a messenger who tried to protect the money in Ermita, Manila Monday, police said yesterday.

In a report prepared by Detective Jonathan Bautista, a witness identified one of the suspects from a poster featuring the Philippine National Police (PNP) most wanted persons as former policeman Joel Gidayao Tapec.

According to the PNP, Tapec is a member of the Doce Pares Gang, who has a P350,000 bounty for kidnap-for ransom and homicide. The members of the Doce Pares Gang are ex-policemen and former soldiers involved in kidnap-for-ransom and high-profile robberies.

The witness also furnished police an artist’s sketch of the gunman, another member of the group led by Tapec. The gunman was described as in his late 30s, at least 5’5” tall, of medium build and with light complexion.

The witness said that prior to the heist, he noted four men on two motorcycles parked their vehicles near the Hyatt Hotel at the corner of Pedro Gil and A. Mabini streets in Ermita.

“The four even had a light snack at an ambulant vendor nearby while apparently waiting for their target,” said Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo, who heads the homicide section of the Manila Police District.

When a red Nissan Patrol van (THL-906) arrived to deliver money to the Lady Diamond Money Changer in the Hyatt Hotel, two of the four robbers immediately approached the vehicle and with drawn guns announced a robbery.

Omar Hassan, 40, the messenger who carried a black knapsack containing P1.5 million, ran towards the entrance of the hotel but was shot by one of the suspects. When Hassan fell, Tapec picked up the knapsack and rode away on a motorcycle. Before fleeing, the gunman fired at the rear tires of the van, then all of the robbers fled towards Taft Avenue.

The driver of the van, Sajit Ibrahim, was spared by the robbers. Hassan was declared dead on arrival at the Manila Medical Center due to a gunshot wound in the back.