Cop tagged in teenager’s shooting identified

The policeman who allegedly shot a teenager in the neck on Friday morning after apprehending him for participating in a drag race at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park has been identified by the victim and his brother through the personnel records of the Manila Police District (MPD).

The victim, 17-year-old Jericho Salazar, identified PO1 Edmer Villanueva of the MPD Malate Station as the officer who shot him as he was driving away on his motorcycle.

Villanueva was also tagged by Salazar’s brother Jesus, another participant in the drag race, according to a report from Chief Insp. Arsenio Riparip, MPD General Assignment and Investigation Section (GAIS) head.

The Ermita police station is located near the Quirino Grandstand where Salazar, Jesus and around 100 other motorcycle riders were caught having a drag race at 2 a.m. on Friday. As the victim and his brother were driving away, Villanueva allegedly fired at Salazar, hitting him in the neck.

Salazar and his brother told investigators that they failed to get the name of the suspect because he was wearing a jacket over his police uniform.

The MPD-GAIS has given Villanueva until 10 a.m. Sunday to give his side on the incident. If he does not appear at the police station, Riparip said they would continue their investigation of the incident based only on the statements given by the victim and his brother.

Doctors at the Ospital ng Maynila removed on Friday night the bullet lodged in Salazar’s neck.