A MANILA police officer, who had been absent without official leave (AWOL) for three years, was shot dead in broad daylight by two motorcycle-riding men near a lechon shop in La Loma, Quezon City, Sunday.
Investigators of the Quezon City Police District identified the victim as PO2 Arthur Cordero Jr., 40, a resident of Tondo, Manila.
According to probers, Cordero was last assigned to the Manila Police District and had been AWOL since 2015.
Police report showed that Cordero was standing in front of Mila’s Lechon on Calavite Street in Barangay Paang Bundok at around 1:25 p.m. Sunday when two men wearing black jackets onboard a white motorcycle without plate number arrived.
The back rider suddenly pulled out a handgun and repeatedly shot the victim, killing him on the spot.
The suspects sped off towards Manila while concerned citizens reported the incident to the nearby Quezon City Police Station 1.
Authorities recovered from the crime scene eight pieces of fired bullets, a black sling bag containing a handcuff, mobile phone, fan knife, some cash, and different identification cards of the victim.
Further investigation is ongoing to identify the suspects and establish the motive behind the killing. (Alexandria San Juan)
