A police major assigned to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding armed men while on board his vehicle in a gasoline station in Pasig City at about 12:30 a.m. yesterday.
Police have tapped their investigating teams to look into the death of Chief Inspector Rommel Macatlang, 52, of the CIDG-National Capital Region.
Chief Insp. Rodolfo delos Reyes, chief of the Investigating Division of CIDG-NCR, said the initial move was to check on the cellular phone of Macatlang.
Macatlang was on board his car and gassing up in a gasoline station at the corner of Ortigas Avenue Jr. and Meralco Avenue in Barangay San Antonio when he was shot by two motorcycle-riding men.
It was the backrider who was seen shooting Macatlang several times before the driver sped off. The police official died on the spot due to at least four bullet wounds he suffered.
“Currently, we are checking on the CCTV footages on persons whom he talked. The investigation also include a check on his cellphone data where we could start the investigation,” said delos Reyes.
It was learned that Macatlang was already on his way home after attending a birthday celebration of his boss, the director of the CIDG-NCR.
While the police are yet to establish the motive of the killing of Macatlang, one of the angles being looked into is a recent case wherein the victim was penalized with suspension from police service.
Delos Reyes confirmed that Macatlang was indeed suspended for three months.
“The reasons of his suspension recently is one of the angles being looked into,” said Delos Reyes.
“This is because it is the same case which caused the disbarment of a lawyer,” he added.
(AARON RECUENCO & JENNY MANONGDO)