Cop shot dead in Cebu City

CEBU CITY — A policeman was mauled and shot dead using his own firearm by two men who took his helmet past 2 a.m. on Saturday along P. Del Rosario Street in Cebu City.

Police Officer 2 Gerlitio Estremos, in his 30s and a member of the Fuente police station, died on the spot after he was shot in the face and the bullet exited on the back of his head.

PO3 Allan Vallejo, Estremos’ colleague at Fuente police station said Estremos was assigned a week ago as a team leader after being a desk officer for over a year.

Estremos’ 12-hour duty was from 8 a.m. on Friday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

At 12:05 a.m. on Saturday, Estremos and another  policeman patrolled their assigned area using separate motorcycles because their patrol car was under repair.

But Estremos’ companion went back to the police station while Estremos proceeded to R. Landon Street.

While Estremos parked his motorcycle, a man took his helmet and sped off on board a motorcycle. The policeman immediately chased the thief on board his motorcycle toward P. Del Rosario Street.

Vallejo said that upon reaching P. Del Rosario Street, Estremos saw the same motorcycle he was chasing but this time, there were two men on board.

He said the two men drove slowly their motorcycles as they argued heatedly. Eventually, they stopped near the Postal Bank. The backrider disembarked, collared the policeman and pulled him off from his motorcycle.

Vallejo said the two men then mauled the police officer and took his .45 caliber pistol. One of the perpetrators used the gun to hit Estremos in the head several times until the policeman fell on the ground.

Then, the police officer was shot in the face. They then rode their motorcycle and left the policeman.
Vallejo said a security guard of a nearby church and a passing taxi driver saw what happened.

Recovered from the crime scene were two empty shells believed to be from .45 caliber pistol stolen from Estremos.

Vallejo said Estremos was no longer brought to the hospital because he died instantly due to the fatal wound in the face.

Estremos was assigned at the Fuente Police station for over a year. He was one of the desk officers until he was pulled out to become the team leader a week ago. With Chito O. Aragon, Inquirer Visayas