CAMP GENERAL MALVAR, Batangas City — A 46-year-old cop was shot dead by two riding-in-tandem suspects Tanauan City, Batangas on Wednesday afternoon.
Inspector Hazel Luma-ang, Batangas provincial police public information officer, on Thursday identified the victim as Police Officer 3 Eric Oñate Lindo.
Batangas police director, Senior Superindent Randy Peralta, said the slain cop was a resident of Barangay Sala in Tanauan City, who was previously assigned at the Santo Tomas, Batangas Municipal Police Station. Lindo was currently assigned at the Holding Center of Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The motive for the killing is still unknown as investigations continue.
Initial investigation disclosed that the Tanauan City police station got a call from Barangay Pagaspas Chair Sonia dela Cruz around 2:35 p.m. Wednesday on the shooting incident in the sub-village Purok 6.
According to police, the victim was on board his Mitsubishi Lancer together with driver Cristoto Borja Manimtim heading towards Barangay Sala in Tanauan City when shot by the bonnet wearing suspects in Purok 6, Barangay Pagaspas.
Manimtim told police they were passing by the bridge connecting Tanauan City to Sto. Tomas town when he heard a whistle from a young boy nearby. Suddenly a continuous burst of gunshots hit the front portion of their vehicle prompting him to cover and drop on the car floor.
Manimtim said after the first burst of gunshots, the victim alighted from the driver’s seat but the gunmen shot the police officer and caught up with the victim while trying to escape.
After the killing, the gunmen took the personal belongings of the slain cop including the black sling bag and service firearm.
Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered 29 fired cartridge casings of unknown firearm.
The victim’s remains lie in state at St. Peter Funeral Homes in Tanauan City. Jojo Magsombol/PNA-northboundasia.com