Caloocan cop dies a day after Bulacan shooting

MANILA, Philippines – A Caloocan City police officer died a day after a lone gunman shot him in the head in Bulacan before dawn Wednesday. 

Police Officer 1 Eduardo Oftana, 48, assigned at the Caloocan City police Sub-Station 3, died at the Far Eastern University Hospital’s intensive care unit at around 2:15 p.m. Thursday.

Oftana’s remains were brought to the Universal Funeral Homes in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Police Officer 3 Michael Ambi, of the Caloocan City police North Extenstion Office, said Oftana succumbed to a single bullet wound in the head that exited through his nape.

Oftana, a resident of San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan, was on his way home on his Yamaha motorcycle (NU-3194) when he shot on a highway near the boundary of Caloocan City and Bulacan.

Ambi said Oftana stopped and parked his motorcycle along Gov. F. Halili Avenue in Barangay Graceville, San Jose Del Monte City when he saw a suspicious-looking man at around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The policeman tried to accost the suspect but instead the man pulled a handgun and shot him pointblank in the head. The gunman fled on foot bringing with him the cop’s .9mm service pistol.

Witness Fidel Padohinog sought the assistance of barangay watchmen who brought the wounded policeman to the FEU Hospital.

Another policeman, PO1 Rodolfo Llacona, 30, assigned in Camp Crame, who was attacked by two unidentified gunmen Monday at his house in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City North, is still under observation at the East Avenue Medical Center due to gunshot wounds in the stomach and other parts of the body.

His mother, Remedios Llacona, 51, died during the assault.

Police probers were still trying to establish the motive in the attack on the Llaconas. – Pete Laude