A policeman shot dead a man believed to be under the influence of illegal drugs who had taken some 30 passengers inside a bus in Villasis, Pangasinan, the provincial police office said Monday.
Senior Police Officer Herminigildo Ramos, a member of the Urdaneta City Police Office, shot the unidentified man after almost 20 minutes of negotiations.
Ramos chanced upon the bus after observing the traffic jam along McArthur Highway, Barangay Bacag, at around 4 a.m. Monday.
In his personal account of the incident, Ramos said he decided to take the shot that killed the man instantly “to prevent greater damage to properties and possible loss of lives of passengers.”
Investigators said they recovered a sachet of shabu from suspect’s pocket who was brought to Ideal Funeral homes in Barangay Carmen, Rosales, Pangasinan.
They said the man purportedly stole a jitney-type vehicle (PGG-299) in Baragay Maligaya, Tarlac City, Tarlac and headed north direction.
“When the suspect arrived at Barangay Bacag the front wheel of the vehicle had blown off prompting the suspect to leave it in the middle of the highway. SPO1 Ramos was then on his way to report for duty in Urdaneta City when he noticed the suspect walking in the middle of the highway armed with a wrench, blocking and hitting vehicles passing by. Ramos alighted from his motorcycle and approached the man. He identified himself as a police officer. The suspect ignored him and tried to attack him,” police investigators said.
Ramos cautiously followed the man and continues to appeal for his peaceful surrender.
