Scene of the Crime Operatives checks the perimeter of the shooting of a police officer that took place inside the Misamis Oriental provincial government compound in Luna St. Monday morning. (Jigger J. Jerusalem/davaotoday.com)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – A police officer was shot by still unidentified gunmen at the Misamis Oriental provincial capitol compound on Luna St. Monday morning.
The victim was identified as Supt. Michael John Deloso, currently assigned at the Police Strategic Management Unit at the Philippine National Police-10 (PNP-10) regional headquarters at Camp 1Lt. Vicente Alagar in Barangay Lapasan, this city.
Deloso’s identification was determined on the ID card found inside the white Nissan Urvan he rode in where he was waylaid.
The van’s windshield and side windows were riddled with bullets. Found scattered around the vehicle were 28 spent shells and slugs of a .45 caliber pistol.
Sources said Deloso dropped off his wife at a nearby hospital where she works as a doctor before the incident happened.
As the van was about to turn to Luna St. from the provincial capitol road, motorcycle-riding suspects fired on the vehicle.
Witnesses said the shooters could be using suppressors as no loud noises were heard at the crime scene.
Deloso’s brother Jomar said in an interview that the victim was alive at a medical facility where he was brought right after the shooting.
He said Deloso was hit on different parts of the body. At last count, the victim sustained 12 gunshot wounds.He added they have yet to determine the motive of the shooting since his brother has “many enemies.” He did not elaborate.
Supt. Mardy Hortillosa, the city police spokesperson, said that based on what investigators gathered, the attack seemed to be “well-planned.”
Hortillosa said police units have conducted pursuit operations and set up checkpoints along various streets in the city following the shooting.
He said a civilian whose identity has yet to be known was hit by a stray bullet.
In a statement, Supt. Surki Sereñas, the regional police spokesperson, said “we are still waiting for the result of the investigation. It is still too early to conclude as pursuit operation and follow-up investigation is still ongoing.” (davaotoday.com)
