Drug suspect shot dead in police custody

MANILA, Philippines — A drug suspect was gunned down while in the custody of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 2 in Tondo, Manila on Sunday night.

Probers have yet to identify the slain suspect, described to be between 30 and 35 years old and with tattoos on his body and arms.

The suspect was arrested by Cpl. Jomar Caligaran for alleged drug possession along Chacon street in Tondo at around 8:50 p.m.

Reports said the suspect was being interrogated inside the drug enforcement unit (DEU) office when he allegedly pulled out a .22-caliber handgun and fired at Caligaran at past 9 p.m.

The suspect hid the gun in his underwear, police said.

Police said the suspect missed, prompting Caligaran to grab the gun, which went off and hit the suspect.

Upon hearing the commotion, Caligaran’s colleagues rushed to the DEU office and brought the suspect to the nearby Mary Johnston Hospital where the suspect was pronounced dead on arrival.

MPD director Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda ordered the relief of Caligaran following the incident.

“I relieved him from his post pending result of the investigation. If there are lapses, I will file charges against him,” Miranda said.

Miranda instructed General Assignment and Investigation Section chief Maj. Rommel Anicete to find out why Caligaran did not put the suspect in handcuffs during his arrest.

Anicete said the suspect was previously charged with robbery.

“But we have yet to finish the probe. We would look into the trajectory of the gun, distance and gunpowder burns to determine if the suspect and Caligaran really grappled for possession of the firearm,” he said.