Tondo shootout: Cop mistakes cop for hitman

Two policemen from different Metro Manila units sent each other to the hospital early Saturday after one of them mistook the other for a hitman tailing him on a motorbike.

In what was later described by investigators as a “misencounter,” PO1 Liberato Cruz Jr. of the Southern Police District was shot in front of his wife and sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the body, while P03 Dennis Santiago of the Manila Police District took a shot in the right leg.

The shootout between the lawmen, who were both in civilian clothes and off-duty, happened around 2:10 a.m. at the corner of Herbosa and Quirino Streets in Tondo, Manila.

SPO1 James Edrosolam, the MPD investigator on the case, said Cruz and his wife Annaliza were on a motorbike on their way home to Hernandez Street in Tondo when they noticed that another biker was “suspiciously” following them.

The other biker turned out to be Santiago, who was also on his way home to Concha Street, also in Tondo.

Sensing danger, Cruz suddenly pulled over near a sari-sari store, prompting Santiago to stop as well and announce that he is a policeman, Edrosolam said.

But Cruz drew his pistol and this provoked Santiago to do the same. Based on an account given by Annaliza, Santiago was the first to shoot, the MPD investigator added.

The two wounded policemen were brought by Annaliza and a kuliglig (motorized pedicab) driver to Mary Johnston Hospital in Tondo, where they remained confined at press time.

Edrosolam said the case would be turned over to the MPD’s General Assignment Desk for further investigation as it involved police officers. Jovic Yee