Man nabbed with grenade, gun after shootout with cop

A man was arrested with a hand grenade and an unlicensed gun after being involved in an alleged shootout with a police officer in Caloocan City.

According to Bea Pinlac's report on 24 Oras, the incident happened one hour after the New Year when a gunshot alarmed residents of Barangay 150.

Based on CCTV footage, a commotion occurred at the sound.

A man standing near his motorcycle suddenly ran behind a parked taxi and pulled out a gun.

"May isang pulis na naka-civilian identified ng ating victim. Sinabihan niya ‘yung pulis natin na gusto raw siyang dukutin at patayin nitong ating suspek," said Police Captain Mikko Arellano, Bagong Barrio Police Station Commander.

(There was an undercover police officer who identified our victim. He told police that our suspect wanted to abduct and kill him.)

"Paglapit ng ating pulis, agad binunutan ang pulis natin at pinutukan," Arellano said.

(When our police officer approached the suspect, he immediately pulled out a gun and shot at the cop.)

In the exchange of gunfire, the suspect was hit by a bullet in his right leg. Despite his wound,  the man managed to run and hide.

"Nang sinundan natin ‘yung blood trailings sa lugar, pumasok siya sa isang bahay pagkatapos noon, nakita natin nandoon din sa crime scene ang kaniyang baril na ginamit at isang granada," said Arellano.

(When we followed the blood trail, the suspect entered a house where we found the gun he used and a single grenade at the crime scene.)

According to the police, the unlicensed gun was loaded with ammunition and the grenade seized from the suspect was real.

The suspect claimed he acted in self defense and denied firing his weapon.

"Pagbaba ko po ng motor, pagbaba na pagbaba ko lang po, may isang lalaki na nakalabas ‘yung baril, nakatutok sa akin. Pagkakita ko po, tumakbo po ako. Hindi po ako nagpaputok," said the suspect.

(When I got off the motorcycle, as soon as I went down, there was a man with a gun, it was aimed at me. When I saw it, I ran away. I didn't shoot.)

He admitted owning the gun but denied he fired a single shot. The suspect also admitted that his firearm had no license.

"Totoo ‘yung baril pero ‘yung granada wala naman pong katotohanan ‘yun," he added.

(The gun is real but the thing about the grenade is not true.)

The report said the suspect was previously imprisoned for murder and is accused of several other crimes.

"Meron tayong information reports na this certain person or our suspect is involved in gun running, gun for hire and at the same time, pagbebenta ng ilegal na droga," said Arellano.

(We have information reports that this certain person or our suspect is involved in gun running, gun for hire and at the same time, selling illegal drugs.)

The suspect, whose motive has yet to be determined, is facing charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of explosives.
—Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News