Navotas cop slain in Manila robbery

MANILA, Philippines - An off-duty policeman was killed Thursday night while responding to a robbery near his house in Sampaloc, Manila.

Police Officer 2 Joel Magno, 33, a member of the Navotas police, succumbed to a gunshot wound at around 9:20 p.m. after one of the four suspected robbers shot him at pointblank range while he was trying to chase them.

Initial investigation by the Manila Police District (MPD)-Homicide Division disclosed that the victim, who just arrived from work, was drinking with his friend, PO2 Carl Sawey, when both heard people shouting for help, saying they had been robbed.

Without hesitating, Magno drew his revolver and ran outside to respond. Unknown to him, the suspects had already alighted from the jeepney and was already about to flee on a waiting motorcycle.

As Magno tried to approach the tricycle, one of the suspects seated behind the driver shot him in the head. The group fled toward Dimasalang street. Marieta dela Rosa, 46, lost two cellular phones, two bank cheques, P800 and other important belongings. 

Magno’s neighbors told reporters the victim was known in the area as a police officer who was always ready to risk his life to protect the community.

A witness, who asked not to be identified, said he saw the four robbers loitering at the corner of Marzan and Dimasalang streets, as if waiting for something, minutes before the incident.

 “After a few minutes I saw them board the jeepney. The last thing I heard was the lone gunshot that killed Joel,” he said.