Makati anti-drug cop dies a day after shooting

MANILA, Philippines - A Makati City anti-illegal drugs policeman died yesterday after being shot in the chest Sunday night while checking out reports of drug deals in Barangay Olympia.

City police chief Senior Superintendnent Froilan Bonifacio said Police Officer 2 Victoriano Cruz, 40, died at the Makati Medical Center.

According to one report, Cruz was checking the situation along J.B. Roxas street when a certain “Bebet” shot at him and his companion while they were on a motorcycle. A shootout ensued before Bebet fled.

Police said Cruz and his companion were hit and onlookers rushed them to the Ospital ng Makati on Malugay street. Cruz was later transferred to the Makati Medical Center.

A separate report made by the Makati City police operation section said Cruz was about intervene in a brawl between Lawrence Roque, 35, and Norberto Garcia, 38, at about 9:30 p.m.

Police said as Cruz was nearing the scene of the incident, he was allegedly shot by Garcia in the chest.

Garcia fled in a maroon Nissan car with license plate NCP-266. Shells from .9mm and .45 caliber handguns were recovered at the site, the report added.