2 suspects in slay try shot dead by cop

MANILA, Philippines—A Manila policeman shot and killed before dawn Tuesday two alleged members of a prison gang after they allegedly tried to grab a gun from a rookie cop who was guarding them inside a police station in Manila.

Ruzzel Tacsagon, 18, of Sta. Ana, Manila; and Jeffrey Camposano, 19, were declared dead on arrival by attending doctors at the Ospital ng Sta. Ana from bullet wounds in the head and in the chest.

The two were detained at the Manila Police District (MPD) Sta. Ana Station 6 investigation room, after they were arrested for allegedly attempting to kill a 20-year-old student.

MPD homicide section head Chief Inspector Armando Macaraeg reported that Tacsagon and Camposano were undergoing an investigation conducted by MPD Station 6 anti-illegal drugs investigator Police Officer3 Erwin Solanio before 3 a.m. Tuesday.

The two, reported to be members of the dreaded Sputnik gang, were arrested around 10:30 p.m. Monday by operatives of the station’s illegal drugs and anticrime unit who responded to a call for help at the corner of Tejeron and Zamora Streets.

Police nabbed Tacsagon and Camposano, after they allegedly tried to attack Exequiel Brown, a student and a resident of Pilar Estate in Sta. Ana.

A pen gun and two sachets of “shabu” were found on the pair when they were apprehended.

The suspects were taken to the station investigation room, under the custody of one of the arresting personnel, PO1 Jose Jesus Martinez.

Seizing an opportunity, the teenagers allegedly tried to grab Martinez’s 9-mm caliber service firearm, with Tacsagon getting hold of the pistol.

PO3 Solanio immediately drew his service pistol and shot the teenager, hitting him on the left side of the temple.

Camposano then allegedly continued his attempt to get Martinez’s gun that had dropped to the floor, but was also shot by Solanio twice in the chest.

The two teenagers were taken by policemen to the nearest hospital, but they did not make it alive.

Macaraeg said he had advised Solanio to submit his service firearm to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory for examination.