A policeman dismissed from the service two years ago was shot 16 times in broad daylight yesterday while aboard his motorcycle in front of Pasig Cathedral.
Pedestrians scampered to safety when four men in two motorcycles intercepted former Senior Police Officer 1 Rolando Baltazar at about 10 a.m. and opened fire on the unsuspecting victim. They made their escape toward San Nicolas street.
Witnesses said the suspects were wearing black bonnets and black bullet-proof vests.
Two suspects pumped bullets into Baltazar who appeared to be using his mobile phone before the attack. He died on the spot from wounds in the head and body.
A female pedestrian sustained a grazed wound on the right side of her body and was brought to the hospital.
One of the bullets hit the wall of a popular fast food joint, according to investigators.
“Sa dami ng bala, papatayin talaga. Sinundan siguro yan,” said an unnamed barangay official.
Probers said a .45 caliber pistol and 9 mm were used in the attack.
According to the Eastern Police District (EPD), Baltazar was dismissed from service in 2014 due to a drug offense.
In July 2014, Baltazar was arrested with eight others in Barangay Caniogan in Pasig City in connection with a robbery case involving members of ‘Gapos gang.’
According to the EPD, Baltazar was arrested this month in a buy-bust operation where about 100 grams of shabu was recovered from his possession.
Baltazar had just come from a preliminary hearing at 9:30 a.m. at the Pasig City regional trial court.
The city prosecutor’s office decided to set aside for further investigation Baltazar’s illegal drug case for ‘lack of probable cause.’
The deceased cop was onboard a Yamaha Vega force motorcycle with plate number 5760 XY.
A policeman, who declined to be named, said Baltazar was notorious in Pasig City for the string of cases he faced.
(JENNY MANONGDO)