MANILA, Philippines—A police officer accused of protecting a syndicate engaged in stealing from passengers on buses was killed in a shootout with the authorities Friday night in Mandaluyong City.
Senior Superintendent Armando Bolalin, Mandaluyong chief of police, said PO1 Leo Antiporda died in hospital after suffering a gunshot wound on the left side of his body.
Bolalin said that there were allegations that Antiporda, who was assigned to Bicutan in Taguig until he was suspended, was receiving money in exchange for protecting pickpockets and other thieves preying on bus passengers.
Members of the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group who had been tipped off about this had been following Antiporda from Makati City when the shootout happened around 8 p.m., Bolalin said.
Antiporda found out that he was being followed upon reaching the loading bay of SM Megamall Building A along Edsa and a commotion ensued, Bolalin said, adding that gunshots then rang out.
He said it was Antiporda who fired first. The police officers fired back and hit Antiporda, who slumped to the ground.
According to Bolalin, the wounded policeman was rushed to the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame where he died.