Cop promoted for foiling bus heist

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman who foiled a bus robbery, killing one of the suspects, was given a spot promotion yesterday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa personally conferred the promotion to now Police Officer 3 Joselito Lantano.
Aside from spot promotion, Dela Rosa also awarded to Lantano a certificate for his new Glock 30 pistol for his “invaluable contribution to the fight against illegal drugs and criminality.”

Lantano, who was off-duty and wearing civilian clothes, was riding a bus on his way home from work when an armed man fired a gun as he a declared a robbery last April 4.

Lantano said he pulled out his gun and shot the man, then arrested the two other suspects.

He later instructed the bus driver to park the bus under the flyover and sought assistance from a nearby police station.

Lantano thanked God for protecting him and Dela Rosa for giving importance to what he did.

Lantano said he thought he would die – the robber’s gun was already pointed at him – but he gambled that he would be able to draw his gun and shoot first.

“I was thinking of my family… if I was killed, my children are still in high school,” Lantano said.

Dela Rosa, however, reminded Lantano and other police officers to always be careful since luck will not always be on their side.

“In a gun battle, you can win once, twice, thrice but not all the time. There are chances that you would lose, so be very careful but not to the point that you become a coward. The best defense is offense,” he said.