Carjack suspect slain in Tondo shootout

MANILA, Philippines –  A suspected carjacker was killed in a shootout with a rookie policeman in Tondo, Manila Friday.

Marjon Piñon, 31, repor­tedly a Commando Gang member, was identified by his live-in partner, Michelle Bautista, at the morgue of the Mary Johnston Hospital yesterday. Piñon had been on the police wanted list after he was tagged as one of the suspects who stole a motorcycle of Police Officer 1 Ralph Lawrence Soriano of the Manila Police District (MPD) District Public Safety Battalion.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old PO1 Roestrell Ocampo, detailed at the MPD’s District Special Projects Unit, surrendered himself and his service firearm, a .9mm pistol, at the MPD’s homicide section.

According to an investigation conducted by SPO3 David Tuazon, Ocampo and PO1 Albert Labarda went to the corner of Osmeña and Dandan streets after receiving a tip that Piñon had been spotted in the area playing a coin game with three others.

However, the group scampered upon seeing the approaching policemen. Ocampo chased Piñon while Labarda pursued the two others.

Ocampo told police he asked Piñon to surrender peacefully, but the suspect pulled out a gun and aimed it at him. Ocampo said he drew his service firearm and fired.

The two policemen rushed Piñon to the hospital but he died while undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds in the body.

Homicide section chief Inspector Armando Maca­raeg said appropriate charges will be filed against Ocampo. “Though Ocampo is performing his police duty, he had to face charges for the incident,” Macaraeg said.