Murder suspect shot dead in Makati
A MURDER suspect allegedly involved in a series of robbery hold-up cases was gunned down in an encounter with police Friday evening in Makati City.
Southern Police District (SPD) Director P/BGen. Kirby John Kraft said the suspect with the alias “James Pogi” of Sta. Ana Manila was gunned down by pursuing operatives of Makati Police Poblacion Sub-Station at around 10:55 p.m. along P. Burgos St. near the corner of Kalayaan Avenue in Barangay Poblacion.
In his report to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director P/MGen. Edgar Alan Okubo, Kraft said the suspect was said to be involved in a series of robbery incidents in the Makati area and was spotted by operatives of Poblacion Police Sub-Station riding a motorcycle along P. Burgos St. with a covered plate number.
When policemen flagged him down, the suspect sped away, prompting lawmen to give chase until he was cornered near Kalayaan Avenue.
Operatives tried to apprehend the suspect, but the latter allegedly drew his handgun and fired toward the pursuing policemen but missed.
Sensing that their lives were in danger, police officers returned fire, hitting the suspect in the body, killing him instantly.
Responding elements of Makati Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) led by P/Maj. Gerald Vilar recovered from the slain suspect a caliber .9mm pistol and four empty shells, which will be submitted to SPD Forensic Unit for ballistic and cross-matching examination to determine if he was linked to any previous offenses involving the same firearm.
Police later discovered that the suspect has a pending murder charge before the Makati Prosecutor’s Office filed on May 26, 2023 and had several outstanding warrants of arrest.
“Isang malungkot na pangyayari. Sa kabila nito, ang kapulisan ay kinakailangang ipatupad ang nararapat sa sitwasyon upang panatilihing maayos at ligtas ang pamayanan,” Okubo said in his statement.
