Manila cop shot dead while directing traffic

MANILA, Philippines—A member of the Manila Police District’s Traffic Enforcement Unit (MPD-TEU) was shot dead while on duty in Quiapo Thursday night.

PO3 Ronaldo Flores, 46, a resident of Tondo, was shot around 7:30 p.m. while he and three civilian traffic marshals were manning their post on Legarda Street near the corner of Recto Avenue.

SPO1 Jonathan Bautista of MPD’s homicide section said bystanders reported seeing the gunman, who was wearing a white shirt, white cap and denim pants, approach Flores and his three colleagues before firing several shots in their direction.

Flores’ companions— Teodoro Tomas, Raymond Tan and Joseph Lansangan of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau—were able to run for cover but the policeman was hit in the left temple.

The victim’s 9-mm pistol was missing from its holster when the bystanders approached the body minutes later, leading investigators to suspect that the shooter took the gun before fleeing, Bautista said.

The motive for the killing remained under investigation. According to his colleagues, Flores was assigned to MPD-TEU two weeks ago. Annelle Tayao-Juego