Hunt ongoing for man who tried to shoot cop

CEBU, Philippines - Police are now hunting down a man who eluded arrest after trying to shoot a police officer who was responding to an alarm in Barangay Esperanza, Aloguinsan, Cebu on Saturday.

The suspect is identified as Jonas Lapingcao, estimated to be on his late 20’s or early 30’s.

Aloguinsan Police chief Senior Inspector Al Pascual said they responded to the mountain barangay of Esperanza on Saturday after receiving a report of an armed person.

Upon arriving in the area around 5 p.m., they saw a man who fit the description given by their informant.

Police Officer 1 Jonathan Monterde approached the suspect, who was later identified as Lapingcao, to supposedly ask him about the report.

Pascual, however, noticed that the suspect was armed, prompting him to shout at his subordinate to watch out.

The suspect pulled out a caliber .38 revolver and fired at Monterde but the gun misfired twice.

Monterde returned fire but the suspect was not hit.

The suspect ran away while Monterde and the rest of the police officers chased him.

Since he was not familiar of the area’s terrain, Monterde fell into a ravine and injured his feet.

Pascual said they found the suspect’s gun at a grassy area which the latter apparently threw away while escaping.

The police lost sight of the suspect and gave up on chasing him that day.

Pascual said Lapingcao is also in their watchlist of illegal drug personalities.

“Pag-abot nako diri sa Aloguinsan, usa ni sa ngalan nga namaligya og shabu, ginagmay lang,” he said.

The station chief further said they also received reports that the suspect is involved in the series of robbery incidents in Cebu City, which they are now verifying.

“Siguro diri sa Aloguinsan dili, diha sa siyudad siguro. Base sa cellphone nga nakuha, daghan sad mo-text diri  ‘pagbantay kay naay polis.’ Naa sad siguro siya’y kauban,” said Pascual.

He said they will file charges against the suspect for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, Comelec gun ban, and Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and for direct assault.  (FREEMAN)