Man slain in hospital shootout

MANILA, Philippines — A suspect arrested for trespassing was killed within the compound of a hospital as he allegedly engaged authorities in a shootout using the service firearm he grabbed from the policeman escorting him in Quezon City at past midnight yesterday.

Ronald Gallo died at the second floor of the Department of Health regional office building at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) at around 12:50 a.m.

Police officers brought Gallo to the hospital for treatment of his bleeding foot after his initial apprehension for trespassing at a compound in Barangay Masagana.

He supposedly told police that he was in the compound because he was fleeing from motorcycle-riding gunmen who were chasing him down the street.

The suspect allegedly refused treatment at the hospital. He reportedly got into a scuffle with one of his escorts, identified as Police Officer 1 Ian Eric Macaraeg.

He allegedly was able to grab the Macaraeg’s gun at the hospital’s emergency room and even pointed the firearm at the policeman before fleeing.

For nearly an hour, Gallo led police officers on a chase within the QMMC compound.

Superintendent Ariel Capocao, Quezon City Police District Station 8 commander, said they had to call members of the Special Reaction Unit for backup as Gallo was able to hide in the dimly lit buildings in the compound.

When he was cornered, Gallo allegedly shot security guards Rolito Samocino, 53, and Arnel Nitafan, 42.

Responding police officers shot Gallo twice in the chest and back.

Recovered at the crime scene were six fired cartridge cases and the 9mm Taurus pistol of the policeman.

Capocao said they are still validating the background of the suspect to determine if he was on the local drug watchlist.

Police officers who arrested Gallo said the suspect  could not talk properly when they spoke to him.