MANILA, Philippines - A man was killed when he was caught in the crossfire during a shootout between his policeman-nephew and another police officer in Angono, Rizal Sunday.
Isidro Magpali, 47, sustained gunshot wounds in the chest and died at the scene.
Superintendent Wilson Magpali, head of the Cavite police’s anti-drug unit, and Senior Police Officer 1 Edison Descalsota, 50, of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, were put in the custody of Angono police chief Superintendent Lucilo Laguna Jr.
Rizal provincial police director Senior Superintendent Bernabe Balba said they are still preparing to file charges against Wilson and Descalsota, who has hired a lawyer.
Balba said the victim and his nephew were in Barangay Parang, Angono to visit the victim’s mother, who is a neighbor of Descalsota.
Witnesses alleged that Descalsota was drinking with friends at a vacant lot in the area when a neighbor told him the Magpali were urinating on his parked car at around 5 p.m.
According to Balba, a neighbor of Descalsota slapped the victim at the height of a heated argument.
“Suddenly shots rang out, prompting Descalsota to rush to their house. He returned minutes later holding his service firearm,” Balba said, adding that the shootout ensued.
When the firefight ended, the victim was sprawled on the pavement, blood flowing from gunshot wounds in his chest. His nephew and Descalsota were unhurt.
Police officers who responded to the scene arrested Wilson and Descalsota and brought them to the Angono police station for further investigation.
Investigators recovered at least 30 shells from 9mm and .45 caliber pistols from the crime scene.
Balba said several neighbors of Descalsota have signified their intention to file grave threat charges against Wilson for pointing his gun in their direction at the height of the shootout.