Cop shot dead in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — A policeman was shot dead by a still unidentified assailant Thursday night in Manila’s Sta. Cruz district.

Superintendent James Afalla, commander of Station 3 of the Manila Police District, said that Senior Police Officer 1 Rodrigo Cortez Jr. died after suffering from two gunshot wounds.

Cortez was attacked while walking with a female companion in front of the Bernardo Building at the corner of M. Natividad and Tayuman Streets at 9 p.m.

He said that the suspect shot Cortez from behind and that investigators retrieved four empty shells from a 9-millimeter pistol at the scene.

The slain police officer had his .45 caliber pistol tucked to his waist at the time of the shooting.

Cortez was assigned to the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group based in Camp Crame.

Afalla said that they were working to determine the identity and motive of the suspect.