‘Gun grabber’ killed by checkpoint cop

MANILA, Philippines—A security guard flagged down at a checkpoint was shot dead after he grabbed the gun of a policeman who had spotted the drugs inside his wallet.

Richard Emaas, 24, a resident of Mandaluyong City, was driving his motorcycle on E. Rodriguez Boulevard in Barangay (village) Doña Imelda, Quezon City, when he was stopped by policemen at a checkpoint who were checking the papers of motorcycle riders as a deterrent against tandem-riding criminals.

Case investigator PO3 Erickson Isidro said the incident happened at 4:50 p.m. on Wednesday. Emaas was on his motorcycle when he was accosted by a team led by SPO3 Jerizaldy Tugbo from the Galas police station. Emaas was asked for the vehicle’s papers but he allegedly arrogantly refused, prompting Tugbo to take him to a nearby public assistance center where he was asked to present an ID card.

As Emaas opened his wallet, however, the policeman and other lawmen spotted three sachets of suspected “shabu” inside, leading them to place him under arrest. When Emaas grabbed the gun of a nearby policeman, Tugbo drew his firearm and shot him, hitting him in the chest. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but he died along the way.—Julie M. Aurelio