A cop implicated in a kidnap-for-ransom case was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men past midnight yesterday in Tondo, Manila.
Police identified the victim as PO2 Frederick Tolentino, 43, who, along with two other cops, was tagged in the kidnapping for ransom of a Korean in 2014.
Manila Police District Director Joel Coronel said Tolentino, who was on floating status, was supposed to report to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) when he was killed.
Tolentino was driving his Toyota Altis with plate number XHS-721 along Quezon Street in Barangay 116, Zone 9, around 12:20 a.m. when three armed men on board two motorcycles appeared from behind and shot him several times.
The suspects sped off after the shooting.
Police said Tolentino sustained gunshot wounds in the right side of the neck, back part of the right ear, and back.
PO3 Michael Maraggun, case investigator, said rough sketches of residences and Chinese names were found inside the victim’s car, the same vehicle used when they reportedly kidnapped Korean Hyun Yeo Koo in Pasay City in 2014.
Maraggun, however, said that they are still coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation to get updates on Tolentino’s case.
Five fired cartridge cases of .45-caliber gun were recovered from the crime scene.
Maraggun said follow-up investigations are underway to determine the motive behind the killing.
(Jaimie Rose R. Aberia)