Cop in shootout with carjackers gets promotion

MANILA, Philippines — Only three years in the police service, Police Officer 2 Jaypee Aguila Gonzales received a spot promotion after he engaged four suspected carjackjers in a shootout in Quezon City on Tuesday.

Gonzales suffered a gunshot wound in his right foot and remains confined at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa ordered the spot promotion of Gonzales for bravery and dedication to duty.

Dela Rosa pinned a medal of valor on Gonzales.

Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), said Gozanles shot dead one of four members of a car theft and and gun-for-hire ring in an encounter in Barangay Payatas B on Dec. 12.

Eleazar identified the slain suspect as Marlon Maala. The other suspects managed to escape.

The incident was captured on closed-circuit television footage.

Prior to the shootout, Eleazar said Gonzales, PO1 Aries Curit and PO2 Rex Abaño, all members of the QCPD Station 6, received information that drug suspects were spotted in the barangay.

Eleazar said the suspects on two motorcycles opened fire at the responding police officers, hitting Gonzales.

Despite being wounded, Gonzales returned fire, killing Maala on the spot.

Eleazar commended the Quezon City policemen for their bravery.