MANILA, Philippines—A policeman who shot dead a “hoodlum” in Tondo, Manila Thursday afternoon has surrendered to authorities, police said.
Police Officer 1 Dionel Medina surrendered after he shot six to eight times Rolando Bautista after the officer intervened in Bautista’s scuffle with a pedicab driver, said Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla, director of the Manila Police District (MPD).
“Bautista was a known hoodlum in the area and was arguing with a pedicab driver who defeated him in a game of cara y cruz. The rookie policeman (Medina), who lived nearby, was called to intervene when they got violent,” said Chief Inspector Marcelo Reyes of the homicide division of the MPD.
“Bautista demanded that the pedicab driver return his money and also argued with the policeman when he intervened. (Medina) shot Bautista six to eight times, killing him,” Reyes said.
He said Medina was a novice and “was not very experienced with firing a gun.”
“He hit Bautista in the stomach and several parts of the body,” said Reyes. “One of his shots also injured a bystander.”
A certain Amalia Lacquieroz was hurt and brought to the hospital, he said. She was released later, he added.
Reyes said that Medina opted to surrender to authorities stationed at the Manila City Hall. “He feared that Bautista may have friends who may want to hurt him,” he stated.
“We will be charging Bautista with cases of homicide and reckless imprudence resulting to physical injury,” Reyes said.