The Manila police officer who was critically wounded in a shootout with alleged robbers died while undergoing treatment in the hospital, authorities disclosed Monday.
Corporal Edgil Bombase succumbed to multiple organ failure at 3:10 p.m. on Sunday at the Jose Reyes Medical Center, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) confirmed.
“[Corporal Bombase] died with honor and integrity of having accomplished the mission of neutralizing one notorious robbery/hold-up suspect. He is NCRPO’s police hero,” NCRPO chief Debold Sinas said in a statement.
“In strongest sense, the National Capital Region Police Office condemns another killing of our dear comrade,” he added.
The NCRPO “will be recommending to give the posthumous award of Medalya ng Kadakilaan in recognition of Bombase’s heroic death and will also shoulder all the hospital and funeral expenses of the family.”
Meanwhile, the local government of Manila has provided P300,000 worth of financial assistance to the officer’s family.
“Nakakalungkot na mamatayan ng pulis, lalo na at pinagtanggol niya lang ang kanyang sarili at tinupad lang niya ang kanyang tungkulin,” Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said.
Bombase sustained bullet wounds after engaging alleged robbers in a shootout at the corner of Antipolo and Tomas Mapua streets in Sta. Cruz on the night of Dec. 11.
Bombase, along with Corporals Micah David Patricio and Alvin Galicia of Manila Police Station 3, responded to the area after several armed suspected robbers were reported.
The policemen were about to approach the suspects upon seeing them, when one of them opened fire, hitting Bombase in the stomach.
However, police were able to retaliate, killing Bombase’s alleged killer, Rodel Vicente.
Vicente’s cohort, identified as Antonio Yap, was also killed by police in a follow-up operation on the same night.
Recovered from the crime scene were a 9mm pistol, .38-caliber revolver, some P130,000 worth of cash, a suspected shabu weighing about 50 grams, and 26 pieces of suspected ecstasy. (Joseph Pedrejas)
