AN official of the Quezon City Police District Station 14 shot dead a suspected robber who tried to snatch the firearm of a police officer shortly after his arrest in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City early yesterday.
QCPD chief Brig. General Nicolas Torre III identified the fatality as Jose Lemery Palmares Jr., 33, a resident of Barangay Culiat.
Reports said Palmares was arrested in a follow-up operation at dawn yesterday along Congressional Ave. extension in Sitio Balud, Barangay Culiat after he reportedly robbed a bakery and soy beans store on Congressional Ave. last Saturday afternoon.
While Palmares was being booked at the Police Community Precinct 1 of Station 14, he allegedly grabbed the firearm of Staff Sgt. Juderick Latao, the investigator-on-case, which led to a scuffle.
Police Maj. Jun Fortunato, deputy station commander of Station 14, pulled out his firearm and shot the suspect.
Palmares was rushed to the Quezon City General Hospital but was later declared dead by doctors.
Scene of the Crime Operatives under Capt. Eric Angayangay recovered one fired cartridge case.
Torre said the officer who shot the suspect had no other recourse considering the situation.
“While our policemen are doing their duty, they also have to protect their lives from any danger, that’s why we appeal to crime suspects not to resist arrest so that this kind of incident will not happen,” Torre said. — With Ashzel Hachero
