Revenge eyed in murder of policeman

MANILA, Philippines - The Northern Police District said yesterday the killing of a police officer inside a photo shop Monday night in Caloocan City could be tied to last month’s police operation against a criminal group in the area.

Superintendent Remus Medina, NPD intelligence chief, said “the gang’s reprisal” is the focus of the investigation in the murder of SPO1 Enrie Escalaw, 45, who was assigned at the NPD-Special Operations Unit (SOU). Escalaw was inside the Yes photo shop, some 150 meters away from the NPD-SOU and the CIDG stations on Langaray street, when gunned down by at least two men.

Chief Inspector Rodrigo Soriano, Caloocan City police investigation chief said they recovered at least 10 empty shells with several slugs for a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene. Soriano said Escalaw and his team earlier engaged a big-time criminal gang in Caloocan in a firefight that resulted in the death of the gang’s leader.