A member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and his civilian friend were killed by three armed men with whom they had an argument with Saturday in Tondo, Manila.
Police Officer 2 Gabriel Gabriel, a 26-year-old resident of Coral Street in Tondo, and Crisanto Giovanni Lozano, a 21-year-old kitchen helper, died from bullet wounds, according to the Manila Police District homicide section.
Gabriel and Lozano figured in a heated argument with the suspects at about 2 a.m. at the Tumbungan carinderia in Moriones Street.
The PSG member managed to pacify Lozano and left the carinderia together.
“Simpleng away lang ’yun. Hindi naman sila magkakilala talaga. Dun lang sa carinderia nagkagirian,” homicide section chief Senior Inspector Rommel Anicete said.
“Walang ka-kwenta kwentang awayan, sa upuan lang. Nag-agawan lang sa upuan ’yung grupo ng pulis at grupo nung suspek. Nagkasagutan pero na-pacify din. Pero nasundan sila nung mga suspek,” Moriones station commander Superintendent Redentor Ulsano said in a separate interview.
On their way home, the two victims bumped into friends at Coral Street.
Unknown to them, the suspects followed them and opened fire on Lozano who fell on the pavement.
As people scampered to safety, Gabriel, apparently unarmed, ran away from the pursuing suspects. He was eventually cornered and shot dead.
Kevin Lloyd Pascua, a 21-year-old bystander, was hit by a stray bullet, but was pronounced out of danger by physicians.
Gabriel and Lozano, on the other hand did not reach the Mary Johnson hospital alive.
Meanwhile, Mildred, wife of the slain police officer, went to the police station to surrender his husband’s 9-mm.
pistol and three magazines.
Investigators had retrieved CCTV footage to identify the suspects who are still at large. (JENNY MANONGDO)
