A notorious gun-for-hire was killed in a shootout with cops in Payatas, Quezon City, Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas D Torre III, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director, said on Friday, Oct. 7.
Police Lt. Col. Roldante Sarmiento, Payatas Bagong Silangan Police Station commander, identified the slain suspect as John Philip Rodriguez alias “Mata”.
According to the report, operatives of PS 13 were conducting an anti-Illegal gambling operation at Sandakot, Brgy. Payatas at around 5:40 p.m. when the incident happened.
The operatives said they chanced upon the suspect riding a motorcycle with a firearm tucked in his waist, prompting them to approach him.
The suspect, however, suddenly got off his motorcycle and fired shots at the police operatives who retaliated, killing him.
Rodriguez was known in the area for his involvement in illegal drugs trade, police said.
Police also said that Rodriguez reportedly killed his debtors who failed to pay him. This was reason why he was charged with frustrated murder and murder.
Recovered from the crime scene were a .38-caliber revolver with serial No. 34044, a black Kawasaki Fury with plate No. 6325 QB, four cartridges of .38-caliber revolver, two fired cartridges of . 38-caliber gun, one fired cartridge of 9mm pistol, and one sachet of shabu.
Torre lauded the vigilance and alertness of the operatives of PS 13.
“Sa bawat operasyon na aming ginagawa araw-araw, handa namin itaya ang aming buhay para sa paglilingkod namin sa bayan. Hindi man madali ngunit ito ang aming sinumpaang tungkulin (In every operation we do every day, we are ready to risk our lives to serve the people. It is not easy but this is our sworn duty),” he said.
“Gayun pa man, amin pa din aalamin kung may grupo ang suspect na ito lalo na may mga report na ito ay notorious gun-for-hire. Magsilbi itong babala lalo sa mga katulad nya na ganito ang mga gawain. Hindi kayo makakatakas sa batas (Anyway, we are also going to find out if this suspect has a group, especially there are reports that he is a notorious gun-for-hire. This should serve as a warning especially to those like him who do such things. You can't escape the law),” Torre said.