Traffic enforcers shot dead by rider flagged down for violation

Two traffic enforcers were shot dead in Cardona, Rizal province by a rider that they flagged down for a violation.

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s report on “24 Oras,” a traffic enforcer on duty tried to stop the two suspects riding a motorcycle after they were caught on a CCTV footage counterflowing in front of the Cardona municipal hall at past 3 a.m. on Thursday.

But instead of slowing down, the suspects sped off prompting the enforcer to go after them. Two other enforcers were able to corner the suspects at a portion of Barangay Real.

The footage showed one of the suspects alighting the motorcycle and then pulling out a gun and shooting the enforcers identified as Jose Marcel Julian, Angelito Tancingco and Kevin Jerome Cruz. 

Julian and Tancingco were declared dead on the spot, while Cruz sustained gunshot wound on his leg and was rushed to the hospital.

“Malapitan yung pagbaril niya roon sa enforcer at walang hesitation. Pagputok niya roon sa isa, tuloy-tuloy sa dalawa pang kasama. Wala kaming ibang nakikitang motibo kundi iyong napakasimpleng traffic violation,” Police Captain Reynaldo Año, Cardona Police chief, said.

(The enforcer was shot close range and without hesitation. He shot the other enforcers, as well. We cannot see any other motive but a simple traffic violation.)

The local police said it is now coordinating with other stations in the province to hunt down the suspects.

The families of the victims are seeking justice for the tragic incident.

“Ang daddy sabi nya ibibili nya ko ng laruan. ‘Yun pala pag-uwi niya nakalagay na siya sa kahon’. Yun ang masakit. Nakakaano ng kalooban. Hindi katanggap-tanggap kasi umalis ng bahay, malakas, walang sakit. Tapos maano mo lamang hindi na makakabalik kasi patay na siya,” Benedicta Julian said.

(My child said ‘mommy, daddy said he would buy toys for me but he went home in a box'. That’s what hurts the most. It is unacceptable because when he left home, he was strong and healthy. All of a sudden, we would find out he is already dead.)—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA News