Cop gunned down at basketball court

MANILA, Philippines - A police officer was playing basketball when he was shot dead in Barangay Tanong, Malabon City Friday afternoon.

Senior Police Officer 2 Joel Fernandez, 40, died on the spot from several gunshot wounds.

According to homicide investigator Police Officer 3 Rommel Habig, Fernandez was playing a pick-up game at around 3:30 p.m. when he asked to be substituted. He went straight to the bench and pulled out his cell phone.

An unidentified assailant then approached Fernandez and shot him repeatedly before he and four accomplices fled the scene.

A source at the Malabon City hall said Fernandez was known to be close to the family of Mayor Antolin Oreta III. He said the victim could have provoked local crime syndicates, but did not elaborate.