Police asset killer slain in QC shootout

MANILA, Philippines - A man wanted for his alleged involvement in the death of a police officer and at least two assets of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) was killed in a shootout in Barangay UP Village Sunday afternoon.

Mark Lawrence Escultor, 27, was declared dead on arrival at the East Avenue Medical Center following an encounter with policemen along Maginhawa street at around 2:50 p.m., said QCPD director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano.

Albano said Escultor was wanted for the death of at least three persons, the latest of which was the shooting of police informant Danny Panaligan, 27, over the weekend.

Escultor was also tagged in the killing of SPO1 Ivon Atilano on April 26, 2012 and police asset Vicente Anthony Andreza on Dec. 15, 2012, Albano said.

Atilano was previously detailed at the anti-narcotics unit of QCPD Station 9. Andreza and Panaligan were police informants.

Albano said they are conducting further investigation to find out if Escultor is connected to a drug syndicate tipped off by the slain informants to the authorities.

Chief Inspector Rodelio Marcelo, head of the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU), said the shootout was an offshoot of a  follow-up investigation on the death of Panaligan.

Panaligan was shot dead while walking with a friend in Barangay Krus na Ligas at past midnight Sunday, said investigator SPO1 Jaime Jimena.

The suspect in the shooting was initially identified a certain Mac-Mac, who later turned out to be Escultor.

Marcelo said police officers went to Barangay Bagong Pag-Asa to arrest the suspect. However, the suspect fired at the policemen and escaped on his motorcycle.

A chase ensued between operatives and Escultor, who bumped into a parked vehicle along Maginhawa street in Barangay UP Village.

Marcelo said policemen tried to arrest Escultor, but he again fired at the arresting officers, prompting the latter to retaliate.

Police recovered from Escultor a caliber .38 handgun and ammunition for caliber .38 and caliber .357 guns.