By Analou De Vera
A Manila police officer was killed while a village councilman is in critical condition after they were shot by motorcycle-riding gunmen outside a bakery in Sta. Cruz, Manila Saturday night.
SPO4 Milbert Balinggan of Manila Police District-Homicide section, identified the fatality as SPO1 Teodorico Arabe Jr., 50, assigned at the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit (MDTEU).
He expired while being attended to at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.
According to MPD-Homicide section chief Rommel Anicete, Arabe was on duty when the attack happened.
Gimillano Ajon, 50, Barangay 358, Zone 36 councilman, meanwhile, is at the Intensive Care Unit of University of Sto. Tomas Hospital after he was shot in the head.
Initial investigation showed that the incident happened in front of Marcely’s Bakery and Sari-Sari Store along Yuseco corner Tomas Mapua Streets about 10:30 p.m.
SPO1 Roderick Kabigting of Sta. Cruz Police Station said Arabe was buying bread while Ajon was smoking nearby when the four gunmen arrived and shot them.
Further investigation is underway.