Freed detainee ‘who pulled gun on police’ shot dead by QC cops

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MANILA — Out of the pan, and into the fire.

A man recently released from jail ended up killed on the street, in a shootout with police in Novaliches, Quezon City, late Sunday night.

In a press statement on Monday, Chief Supt. Edgardo Tinio, director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), announced the “neutralization” of Lindon de Jesus, 24, of Sitio Kawayan, Interville 3, in Barangay San Agustin, Quezon City.

In a report to Tinio, the Novaliches police station commander, Supt. Jerico Baldeo, said De Jesus had pulled out a gun and simply fired at police motorcycle patrollers who were approaching him and a companion to ask about their “suspicious” presence on Ambrosia Street in TS Cruz Subdivision in the barangay, at around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

The policemen said they were forced to return fire, causing De Jesus to fall to the ground, and his companion to flee.

De Jesus was brought to the Novaliches General Hospital, but succumbed to gunshot wounds at 1:24 a.m. on Monday.

Tinio said De Jesus’ sister later told police her brother had just recently been released from the Valenzuela City jail but she did not specify what his case was.

Tinio said De Jesus’ death showed the Quezon City police’s “vigilance to the activities of all kinds of lawless elements” as part of their anti-criminality campaign. Last May 26, two members of the Joselito Gonzales Drug Group were also killed in a shootout with the District Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (DAID-SOTG) during a buy-bust operation.

Tinio commended the patrollers for the “accomplishment” and encouraged his police officers “to be always alert and be vigilant in combating lawless elements.”  SFM