Shooting suspect gunned down

Justice was finally served to a female Ateneo law graduate who is now in comatose condition at the Medical City when the suspect who shot her during a robbery in Cainta, Rizal on Aug. 6 was killed in an alleged shootout with police authorities.

Orlando del Rosario, 29, a resident of Doña Aurora Subdivision, Angono, RIzal sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the head and body. He died on the spot.

Superintendent Danilo Macerin, Antipolo City police chief said del Rosario was being sought for the shooting and wounding of Ateneo law graduate Tara Santelices, during a robbery at a passenger jeepney along Felix Road in Cainta town.

Del Rosario shot Santelices in the head after she refused to let go of her bag containing her laptop, Macerin said.

The family of Santelices had asked for President Arroyo’s intervention for the arrest of Del Rosario, who had been eluding massive police manhunt launched against him.

Santelices remained in comatose condition at the Medical City. Her doctors hinted it would take a miracle to save her.

After more than a month in hiding, Del Rosario was spotted by combined operatives of the Antipolo City and Cainta policemen in downtown Cainta at 10 a.m. yesterday.

Police authorities, on board several vehicles, tailed the suspect and flagged him down in the almost deserted corner of M.H. del Pilar St., and Circumferential Road in Barangay San Isidro in Antipolo City 11:30 a.m. Upon sensing the presence of the lawmen, del Rosario pulled out his caliber .45 automatic pistol and opened fire at the direction of the policemen, who returned fire.

 Aside from being the prime suspect in the shooting of Santelices, Macerin said Del Rosario was also involved in several robbery incidents in Cainta, Taytay and Antipolo City.

The Antipolo City police chief said Del Rosario was involved in robbery at the Flying V gasoline station along Ortigas Avenue, Extention, on Friday at around 2:30 p.m. where his gang carted away some P75,000 cash.