Cop dies in school shooting

MANILA, Philippines - A Pasig police officer was killed while responding to a call for police assistance at a school in Barangay Palatiw, Pasig yesterday morning.

Senior Police Officer 1 Fernan Clemente was playing basketball near the St. Gabriel International School along Sandoval Avenue at about 8:30 a.m. when security guards of the school asked him to assist them, Pasig police chief Senior Superintendent Mario Rariza said.

According to Rariza, the security guards had asked Clemente to help disarm and pacify Emerson Aries Go, reportedly the son of the school owner, after he arrived at the school in a taxicab and carrying a shotgun.

Rariza said that as Clemente was approaching Go, the suspect allegedly opened fire with the shotgun.

Clemente was rushed to the Pasig City General Hospital for emergency treatment while Go was later subdued and arrested by other policemen. Clemente later died at the hospital from his wounds.

Rariza said investigators are also looking at the angle that a responding policeman might have also shot Clemente – who was in civilian attire – by mistake.

“We are also looking at the angle of friendly fire. One of those responding from the police community precinct might have shot him (Clemente) after failing to recognize him,” he said.

Rariza said they have identified the police officer who might have shot Clemente by mistake but is withholding his identity pending the completion of the investigation.

According to Rariza, the service pistol of the unnamed police officer was secured by investigators and will be subjected to a ballistics test. Investigators have also gathered clips from the school’s closed-circuit television cameras.

As for the reason why Go was carrying a shotgun when he arrived at the school, Rariza said investigators have yet to find out as he refused to talk following his arrest.