Rookie Metro cop slain in Laguna shootout

BIÑAN, Laguna — A rookie Metro Manila policeman was killed, while five of his colleagues were arrested after trading shots with law enforcers here last Friday afternoon.

The alleged shootout was triggered by reports that a group of armed men had robbed at least five residents of cash and valuables after they failed to seize "fruit game" machines in Sitio Umboy, Barangay San Antonio here.

Superintendent Clifton Empiso, Biñan police chief, identified the slain policeman as PO1 Edades Ancheta Latorre, assigned at the communication, electronics and services (ECS) office of the National Capital Region Police Office at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.

Ancheta died upon arrival at the Perpetual Help Hospital due to a gunshot wound in the head.

Empiso identified the arrested policemen as Chief Inspector Romeo Ngoho Campomayor, chaplain at the Philippine National Police headquarters at Camp Crame; PO3 Robert Chawana Eblahan and PO1 Oliver Mana, both assigned to the Anti-Transnational Crime Division of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), also at Camp Crame; and PO1 Jay Salondro Ilagan, also of the CIDG’s ECS office.

Also arrested were civilians Fernando Empeño and Joel Yabes, both drivers.

They were reportedly part of a group of 13 armed men who were searching for video "fruit game" machines in several houses in Sitio Umboy.

Investigation showed that the group, which arrived on board an L-300 van and a passenger jeepney, failed to find any "fruit game" machines and instead reportedly took the money of at least five houseowners and fled.

Tipped off about the incident, Biñan policemen gave chase. Occupants of the L-300 van peacefully surrendered, while those in the passenger jeepney shot it out when they were cornered along the shores of the Laguna de Bay.

PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

Lomibao directed Director Marcelo Ele Jr., chief of the PNP’s Investigation and Detective Management Directorate, to file criminal and administrative charges against the five arrested policemen. — With Jaime Laude, Arnell Ozaeta and Ed Amoroso