Cop wounded in QC robbery

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman was wounded when he shot it out with an alleged robber in Project 4, Quezon City yesterday morning.

Police Officer 3 Armand Soliven, who is assigned to Barangay Tagumpay, was on a motorcycle along 20th Avenue at around 6 a.m. when he heard Cristina Natividad screaming after her bag was snatched, said Quezon City Police District director Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao.

He responded, not realizing two assailants were involved. The man later identified as Delfin Obaña, 47, shot at Soliven, hitting him in the right shoulder and right calf. Soliven managed to fire shots.

Obaña was arrested three hours later after closed-circuit television footage showed him holding a gun as he limped away from the crime scene, Pagdilao said, adding that the suspect has a partially paralyzed leg.

Obaña’s companion, Thomas Fuller, remains at large.

Pagdilao visited Soliven, who underwent surgery at Quirino Memorial Medical Center, commended him for his bravery and vowed to help with his hospital expenses.

“Policemen should be like that. They should act every time there is an opportunity to respond,” Pagdilao said. “Soliven showed he was ready to respond even if it endangered his own life.”