MANILA, Philippines — Police authorities arrested a fellow police officer tagged in the fatal shooting of a traffic enforcer along Edsa early Thursday morning, said the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).
In a statement, Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, QCPD director, confirmed the arrest of Police Lt. Felixberto Rapana Tiquil, assigned to the Manila Police District’s Anti-Carnapping Unit after he allegedly shot traffic officer Edgar Follero at the height of an altercation in front of Muñoz Market in Veterans Village.
According to the QCPD, Follero was assisting mechanic Paul Delos Reyes with his motorcycle that conked out in the middle of the highway at around 3:40 a.m. when Tiquil stopped them. A heated argument later ensued, prompting Tiquil to shoot Follero twice with his pistol.
The report said that Follero still managed to drive a motorcycle, despite being shot, and sought the help of police officers stationed at the corner of Edsa and Roosevelt Avenue.
Police then arrested Tiquil and seized a 9-mm Glock 17 pistol with 11 rounds of ammunition. Investigators also recovered an empty fired cartridge and a fired bullet.
“Thereafter, the barangay ambulance of barangay (village) Veterans rushed the victim to the Quezon City General Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by his attending physician at about 3:54 AM of the same date,” QCPD also mentioned.
Tiquil is currently under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit while deeper investigation is being conducted. On the other hand, the seized firearm was submitted to the QCPD Forensic Unit for further analysis. With reports from Kristelle Anne Razon, INQUIRER.net trainee
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