Pasay intel chief could have killed suspect even after he was shot — Albayalde
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said that it is entirely possible that S/Insp. Manuel Tatayon Jr. managed to kill his target even after he was hit himself by two fatal gunshots.
“Hindi ka naman basta-basta kaagad mamamatay diyan eh, especially so this is a 9mm (bullet). Kaya sinasabi natin na isang malaking factor iyan kung gaano ka-laki iyong balang ginagamit,” Albayalde told reporters after visiting Tatayon’s wake.
(You’re not going to die immediately from a 9mm bullet. That’s why we are saying that the size of the bullet is a big factor.)
“Sabi ko nga doon sa 45 (caliber), para ka nang sinuntok kaagad dyan. Unlike ‘don sa 9mm, lalo na kung malapitan, usually nagtu-through and through ‘yong mga 9mm,” he added.
(As I said, a 45 (caliber) could hit like you were punched right away. But a 9mm, especially if it was fired at close range, it goes through and through.)
Earlier reports stated that Tatayon, Chief of Pasay Police Intelligence Department, received a report on the whereabouts of Narc Delemios, a murder suspect who escaped from a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in August 2018.
He immediately launched an operation on a Sunday against Delemios at Don Carlos Revilla Village in Barangay 148, Pasay City.
Tatayon was initially wounded, but he managed fired back at Delemios, who eventually died. He was wanted for killing Gerardo Maquidato Jr., a model Grab driver back in October 2017, and 19-year-old Gino Balbuena in 2014.
READ: Pasay police intel chief killed in shootout with jail escapee
The PNP Crime Laboratory Office said that Tatayon fired his gun, although it is still unconfirmed if those led to Delemios’ death.
“Based don sa ballistics ng baril niya, based doon sa Crime Laboratory, may lumabas na bala doon sa baril niya mismo (Based from the ballistics and the Crime Laboratory, bullets were coming from his gun),” Albayalde said.
He added that they are still conducting firearms examinations on the suspect’s side to determine whose bullet killed Tatayon.
Albayalde awarded Tatayon a “Medalya ng Kagalingan” (medal of excellence) for his efforts, which was received by the officer’s family. The PNP Chief said the award is just temporary, as they would ultimately lobby for his posthumous promotion.
“Ito ay nagpapatunay na talagang merong heroes at matatapang sa PNP (This proves that there are heroes in the PNP),” he added. /ee
READ: Albayalde: Pasay intel chief’s case not yet closed
