Manila cop wanted for shooting minor

The Manila Police District (MPD) is looking for one of its members who allegedly shot a minor who joined a drag race in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park before dawn Friday.

Probers said the policeman, who has yet to be identified, may be charged with frustrated homicide.

The victim, 17-year-old Jericho Salazar, remains at the Ospital ng Maynila for a gunshot wound in the neck, with the bullet lodged near his throat.

His older brother, Jesus, said that as of 3 p.m. Friday, Jericho was set to undergo a CT scan to determine if he should undergo surgery. He added that Jericho was conscious but could not move too much because of the pain.

Jesus and another brother, Jeremy, told the MPD’s Women and Children Protection Section (WCPS) that Jericho was shot by the suspect after he was apprehended along with around 100 other motorcycle drivers who were drag racing in front of the grandstand, which is near the MPD Ermita station.

Jesus, who also joined the drag race, said the suspect, whom they failed to identify because he was wearing a jacket that concealed his name on his police uniform, was with other lawmen who arrived in three mobile patrol cars around 2 a.m.

He added that after the suspect kicked his brother and pointed a gun at him, they tried to leave the area on their motorcycles. Jericho was driving in front of him when he saw the suspect fire at his brother, Jesus said.

According to him, he drove over to his brother—who was wounded but conscious—and asked the suspect for help in bringing him to the hospital.

Jesus later found out that his brother was at the Ospital ng Maynila but not after he went looking for him at the Philippine General Hospital.

An Ospital ng Maynila security guard told him that his brother had been dropped off by a policeman who left immediately.

He added that according to Jericho, the policeman told him, “Serves you right,” after shooting him.

“Jericho said the policeman even asked him if he saw who shot him. When Jericho answered, ‘It was you,’ he said the officer replied, ‘Don’t be stupid, you didn’t see me,” Jeremy, the other brother, told the Inquirer.

The MPD’s WCPS, with the assistance of the General Assignment and Investigation Section, is trying to identify and track down the suspect.