Policeman kills fellow cop tagged in robbery

CAMP GENERAL SIMEON OLA, Legazpi City – A police officer was shot dead by a fellow cop after the former allegedly held up an LBC branch in front of Albay Capitol, this province, Wednesday afternoon.

Senior Inspector Malu Calubaquib, Police Regional Office (PRO-5) spokesperson, said robbery suspect PO2 Ronnie Sandrino, assigned to Pilar Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Sorsogon, died at the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital after he engaged PO1 Milgar Nocos of Legazpi City Police in a gunfight.

Investigation showed that PO1 Nocos responded to a reported robbery-holdup incident at LBC Albay branch at around 1:20 p.m., Wednesday.

Upon arrival at the scene, PO1 Nocos saw the suspect walking along the street near the provincial capitol.

Nocos approached PO2 Sandrino, but the latter drew his pistol and fired twice at the responding policeman.

Nocos returned fire, hitting the suspect in the head.

Sandrino was rushed to the hospital but he expired while undergoing treatment at about 4:20 p.m.

Police recovered from the crime scene a PNP-issued 9mm Pietri Beretta pistol with live ammunition, three pieces of spent shells, R11,061.00 cash, and other personal belongings of the suspect.

Calubaquib added that they found out that PO2 Sandrino, who joined the PNP in 1993, had already filed for his optional retirement. He had been assigned to Donsol Police Station before his transfer to Pilar Police Station.

“Patuloy pa po ‘yung imbestigasyon ng kapulisan sa posibleng dahilan kung bakit nang-holdap ‘yung aming kasamahan, pero may impormasyon na nakuha kami na ‘yung asawa ng suspek ay nasa ospital,” Calubaquib said. (NIÑO N. LUCES)