CEBU, Philippines - The second suspect in the killing of PO2 Gerlito Estremos was killed in a shootout with policemen in Barangay Tisa Wednesday night.
James Flores, 27, reportedly fired at the police, prompting Senior Insp. Keith Allen Andaya and PO3 David Najara, Jr. of City Intelligence Branch (CIB) to retaliate.
Flores, a resident of D. Jakosalem Street, was killed on the spot from five gunshot wounds in the head and body.
Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director Mariano Natu-el, Jr. said Flores was the companion of Ian Canseco, who mauled and shot Estremos dead in Barangay Kamagayan Saturday dawn.
Flores, the right-hand of Canseco, 34, in their illegal drug activities, drove the getaway motorcycle after Estremos' killing, said Natu-el.
Natu-el said they received information that Flores had been accompanying Canseco and the two were always seen loitering in Barangay Kamagayan, where Canseco lives.
The operation
Acting on the report, Natu-el said they looked for Flores until they spotted the suspect walking in sitio Mangahan, Barangay Tisa past 10 p.m. Wednesday.
Operatives of the City Intelligence Branch, Fuente Police Station and Punta Princesa Police Station carried out the operation.
Andaya, CIB's chief of administration, said they saw Flores walking in a dimly-lit area in sitio Mangahan and secretly followed him for about 20 minutes.
However, the suspect appeared to have sensed the presence of the police and attempted to run, prompting them to give a chase.
Andaya said they commanded the suspect to stop and introduced themselves as law enforcers.
However, instead of heeding, Flores reportedly fired at them once, he said. Nobody from the policemen was hit.
"So as last resort, we just fired at him," said Andaya.
The shootout lasted for less than a minute, he said.
The CIB official dismissed insinuations of an "overkill," saying that the area was dark and that they only acted in self-defense.
Natu-el also said the operation was legitimate.
"They (policemen) performed in line of duty," he said.
When the area was cleared, police recovered from the dead Flores a Colt caliber .45 pistol with six live ammunitions, metallic fragment, and a holster.
Also recovered were the suspect's cellular phone, sunglasses, silver necklace, wallet containing P200, assorted receipts, and temporary driver's license bearing his name.
Not yet closed
Despite Canseco's arrest and Flores' death, Natu-el said they are not yet closing the investigation into the killing of Estremos.
He said they are still looking for the physical evidence in the Saturday incident, including the getaway motorcycle and Estremos' .45 caliber pistol that was taken by the suspects.
Natu-el said they are also still trying to determine the suspects' real motive in killing the policeman since he believed that there was deeper reason.
The CCPO director claimed that the suspects are into illegal drug trade, so this may have something to do with Estremos' killing.
Estremos, team leader of Fuente Police Station's Alert Team, was patrolling on board his motorcycle to recover his stolen helmet when he met the suspects on board a motorcycle.
Canseco would later maul the policeman, grapple for his service firearm, and shoot him in the head before retreating to board the motorcycle allegedly driven by Flores.
An eyewitness positively identified Canseco and Flores as Estremos' killers. A follow-up investigation led to Canseco's arrest on Monday.
Canseco, however, denied any involvement in the policeman's murder.
Case filing delayed
Meanwhile, authorities yesterday failed to file the complaint for murder against Canseco before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office due to the absence of the suspect.
PO1 Michael Angelo Singson of the Homicide Division and PO2 Armando Ponse Jr. of the City Intelligence Branch (CIB) arrived at the prosecutor's office past 4 p.m. to file the complaint.
However, the one in-charge the receiving area refused to accept the complaint due to the absence of the suspect.
City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon said an inquest proceeding is needed for detained person to determine whether the arrest was lawfully done.
Ponse told the media that the suspect was brought before Judge Samuel Malazarte of the Regional Trial Court Branch 15 for the commitment order.
Canseco has a standing warrant of arrest for violation of Section 11, Article II of the Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
Ponse said they asked Malazarte to bring the suspect to the Prosecutor's Office for an inquest proceeding but the judge issued a commitment order and directed suspect to undergo medical checkup before he will be brought to the Cebu City Jail.
The police then brought the suspect to the Cebu City medical Center (CCMC).
Estremos' wife Elmera told the media that she was happy over the development of the case.
"It was an answered prayer," she said. - With Mylen P. Manto/LPM (FREEMAN)