MANILA, Philippines - A 23-year-old man, reportedly a known neighborhood toughie, died after he allegedly tried to shoot members of the Pasay City police early Saturday in Barangay 165 in Malibay, Pasay City.
According to Pasay City Police chief, Senior Superintendent Joel Doria, a police team led by Senior Inspector Maynard Pascual was conducting a routine “Oplan Sita” patrol at the barangay at about 1:30 a.m. when they spotted Allan Barata who was then riding a bicycle.
Police said Barata, who was also a known robber and a member of the Batang City Jail Gang, was with a companion who was also aboard a bicycle, when he was spotted by the policemen.
According to police, when the patrolling officers tried to approach the duo, they sped away on their bicycles, triggering a brief chase.
After a short chase, the pursuing policemen then cornered Barata. The suspect, police said, instead of yielding pulled-out a folding knife and tried to stab the policemen.
Police said Barata pulled out a caliber .22 pistol from his pocket and aimed it at the police officers. Barata was shot in the right abdomen and left thigh as he and the policemen grappled for the gun. Police said Barata died on the spot.
Recovered from Barata were two folding knives, suspected shabu contained in two heat-sealed plastic sachets, the .22 caliber pistol loaded with five bullets. Also recovered at the scene were three 9 mm empty shells and a deformed slug from an unknown gun caliber.
Police said Barata’s body was brought to the Veronica Funeral Homes for autopsy while a Jericho 941 pistol that was also reportedly used in the shooting was taken to the Southern Police District Crime Laboratory for ballistic examination.