Suspected organized crime group leader killed in police encounter in Tondo

MANILA, Philippines – A suspected leader of a local organized crime group was killed in an encounter with police operatives on Tuesday morning.

In a police report, the police identified the suspect as Rommel Vicente Tiatco, leader of Tiatco Organized Crime Group. He had a standing warrant of arrest for the murder of former Manila Police District (MPD) Police Staff Sargeant Dranreb Cipriano.

A joint operation was conducted by members of Special Mayor’s Reaction Team (SMaRT), Detective Special Operations Unit (DSOU), MPD Homicide, and Police Station 1 to serve the arrest warrant against Tiatco in Tondo, Manila.

The operation resulted in an armed encounter between Tiatco and police operatives.

Tiatco was rushed to Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center Hospital and was declared dead on arrival at 9:35 a.m. by Dr. John Cruz, attending physician.