QCPD official slain in ambush

MANILA, Philippines - A Quezon City Police District (QCPD) official was killed in an ambush in Quezon City yesterday morning, with his family emerging unhurt from the attack. 

Chief Inspector Roderick Medrano died after the attack at around 7 a.m. at the corner of Zabarte Road and San Diego Drive in Barangay Kaligayahan, said QCPD director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano.

Medrano was chief of operations of the QCPD Station 4, whose area of responsibility covers the city’s Novaliches district. 

Medrano’s superior, Station 4 commander Superintendent Norberto Babagay, said Medrano, accompanied by his wife, was driving his children to school when the ambush happened.

Three men – with one driving a motorcycle – staged the ambush, according to Chief Inspector Rodel Marcelo, head of the QCPD’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit. 

Two of the assailants, using handguns, started shooting as Medrano drove his Honda City along San Diego Drive.

Even if he was already wounded, Medrano managed to maneuver the car until it crashed into the gate of a nearby house, Marcelo said.

One of the assailants came closer and fired more shots at Medrano, who was then already slumped on the steering wheel.

It was apparent the assailants wanted to make sure Medrano would die in the attack – they fired at least 21 shots, Babagay said, adding that Medrano died in a hospital.

Inspector Elmer Monsalve, head of the Homicide Investigation Section of the QCPD-CIDU, said the victim sustained more than five gunshot wounds. 

Investigators are still looking into the possible motive behind the ambush. 

Marcelo said investigators recovered 21 fired 9mm cartridge cases and three bullets. 

Marcelo said Medrano’s two .38 caliber revolvers were in the car. 

The two assailants, after staging the attack, boarded a motorcycle driven by a cohort and fled.