Cop kills drug suspect over 'gas allowance'

MANILA, Philippines – A Parañaque policeman was charged with murder for allegedly shooting a suspected drug peddler who refused to give him P200 “gasoline allowance.”

Aside from criminal charges, Police Officer 2 Alexshunder Macabeo, 35, is also facing administrative charges following a complaint filed against him by Crecencio Camero, brother of Eduardo Escora, who died while undergoing treatment at the Pasay City General Hospital.

PO2 Fernildo de Castro told The STAR that Macabeo frequently asked Escora, a suspected drug peddler, for money since they have known each other even before Macabeo was relieved from his post at the Pasay Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police said the shooting took place at about 3:05 p.m. Saturday along Orion street in Pasay City. Macabeo fled after the incident and was later arrested at his house in Makati City. Charges against him were brought before the city prosecutor’s office Sunday.

Among the evidence confiscated from him are a .9mm handgun, a magazine assembly, 14 bullets, and a deformed slug of unknown caliber.

In a separate interview, PO1 Tina Villanueva told The STAR that it was not clear why Macabeo shot the victim, but it is possible that the incident was related to drug use. She said the victim has pending drug cases before them, and Macabeo is facing administrative charges as well.