A man earlier arrested for alleged theft was shot dead inside a police precinct in Sampaloc, Manila, after he allegedly grabbed the service firearm of a police officer early Monday morning.
Brando Madid, about 35 to 40 years old, a resident of Pier 15, Port Area, Manila, was killed inside the Sibama Police Community Precinct (PCP) at the corner of Maceda and Simoun Streets at around 1:30 a.m., Monday.
Initial probe disclosed that the suspect was accosted by barangay officers after receiving a report from a concerned citizen that he was stealing the cellphone and other belongings of a drunk man who fell asleep on the sidewalk of Retiro Street at about 11 p.m. the previous day.
He was then brought to the barangay hall to face the victim, Marcos Pascual.
The victim, however, decided not to file a complaint against him anymore.
But his unruly behavior led barangay officers to turn him over to the police.
“Nagwawala na siya. May binunot siyang gunting sa katawan niya. Kaya para safe dinala na namin siya sa presinto,” said Barangay 492 chairman Mario Lopez.
While his case was being recorded on a police blotter, he snatched the gun of Patrolman Rolando Poronda.
The suspect fired two shots at Poronda but missed hitting the cop.
Poronda managed to recover his gun during the scuffle and fired a shot at the suspect.
Police Capt. Philipp Ines said Poronda’s duty partner Police Corporal Jonathan Paleyan was inside the toilet while the others were doing rounds when the incident happened.
“It is our policy to paralyze a resistant suspect but that is not possible if our police is already in imminent danger,” he said.
The suspect was rushed to Ospital ng Sampaloc where he later died.
Meanwhile, Poronda surrendered his service firearm and underwent paraffin test. He was also relieved from his post and placed under the custody of the Administrative Holding Unit while his case is being investigated by Manila Police District (MPD) homicide section. (Ria Fernandez)
