Wounded cop released from Manila hospital

A policeman who was wounded after he and his wife, who is also in the service, figured in a shoot-out with motorcycle-riding men in Manila has been released from the hospital, according to a police official.

Chief Insp. Arsenio Riparip, deputy chief of the Northern Police District (NPD) District Public Safety Battalion (DPSB), told the Inquirer the other day that SPO1 Jerome Jalla, who is one of his men, was discharged from the Chinese General Medical Center on Tuesday.

According to Riparip, Jalla later dropped by the DPSB office at the NPD headquarters to attend to the documents required for the reimbursement of his hospital expenses.

His wife, Julie, who is assigned at the NPD District Police Community Relations, remains confined in the hospital although her condition has been reported as stable.

SPO1 Jocelyn Llanderal, DPSB finance officer, told the Inquirer that on Monday, Jalla’s brother dropped by the police headquarters to ask her about the requirements for applying for the reimbursement of medical expenses.

Riparip, meanwhile, said that he did not know when Jalla would return to work.

On Dec. 3, the couple were off-duty when they were wounded in a shoot-out with three men riding on a motorcycle in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

According to a police report, the Jallas were in their vehicle with Jerome behind the wheel when a motorcycle abruptly stopped in front of them at the corner of Pampanga and M. Natividad Streets.

The couple said they became suspicious because the men seemed hesitant to pass through a checkpoint set up by the Manila Police District Station 3 several meters away.

When Jalla confronted them and introduced himself as a policeman, two of the three men suddenly pulled out firearms—an Uzi submachine gun and a pistol—and fired at him.

He managed to return to his car to get his handgun while his wife took out her service firearm as the armed men strafed their vehicle, hitting Jalla in the right forearm and Julie in the left.

Despite their injuries, the couple fired back at their attackers who escaped.

According to Supt. Ferdinand del Rosario, NPD public information officer, the couple will receive a commendation for heroism once the move is approved by the district director.

He added that there was a good chance that the commendation for the Jallas would be approved by Chief Supt. Antonio Decano, NPD director.

He added that they would also recommend to the Philippine National Police leadership that the couple be given medals for their bravery.