Missing Manila cop's informant found dead

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected drug offender turned informant, last seen Saturday with a missing Manila policeman, was found dead Monday night near the boundary of Manila and Navotas City.

Drops of blood led from Manila to Davila street in Barangay Navotas West, where the body of “Bangenge” was found, Manila Police District (MPD) homicide section chief Senior Inspector Joselito de Ocampo said.

The victim had been shot in the chest and stomach. A resident found her at around 10:30 p.m. Monday, according to a Navotas police report, De Ocampo said.

The victim, whose real name investigators did not disclose, was reportedly the last person seen with Senior Police Officer 2 Teofilo Panlilio, 54, who is assigned with the MPD’s District Headquarters Support Unit (DHSU). Panlilio was reported missing by his family Monday morning.

De Ocampo said when a photo of Bangenge was shown to other DHSU personnel, they recognized her as the last person seen with Panlilio before he went missing.

The MPD has yet to find out what happened to Panlilio, although members of his family have reported receiving text and e-mail messages claiming the policeman had been executed at Isla Puting Bato along with Bangenge and his body dumped into the waters of Manila Bay.

Panlilio’s family has filed a missing person’s report with the MPD’s general assignment section. The report states that Panlilio, in full uniform, was last seen leaving his post at the MPD headquarters Saturday afternoon with Bangenge.

He reportedly told his colleagues at the MPD that he was going to conduct an anti-drug operation at Isla Puting Bato.