QCPD mulls charges vs cop killer’s mom
The cops wanted to arrest and book Nuñez, but Martin Luther’s namesake had peace far removed from his mind
Daily TribuneThe cops wanted to arrest and book Nuñez, but Martin Luther’s namesake had peace far removed from his mind
The Quezon City Police District said Monday it is contemplating filing charges against the mother of a man who engaged the police in a deadly shootout in Caloocan City Sunday evening.
Said shootout resulted in the death of Special Weapons and Tactics member Cpl. Noel Ogano and the woman's son, Martin Luther Nuñez, while police were trying to arrest the latter.
According to QCPD chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, the woman refused to help surrender her son who earlier figured in an indiscriminate firing of a gun in Barangay Pasok Putik, Quezon City.
Torre said they are still mulling what charges to file against the mother who "stubbornly" refused to yield his son so he can be arrested, booked and, if qualified, released on bail.
"His mother, we will charge her as an accessory or as principal with direct participation. Our lawyers are studying (the circumstances and applicable charges)," Torre said.
Nuñez has been known to threaten people in their neighborhood according to a barangay official, he added.
P/Lt. Col. Jerry Castillo, the deputy commander of the district mobile force battalion of QCPD, was wounded in the shootout.
National Capital Region Police Office chief P/Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo commended members of the QCPD for quickly responding to the shooting incident and attempting to negotiate a peaceful surrender of the suspect.
The cops chased the 42-year-old Nuñez while he was on board a white Grandia. During the course of the negotiation at the residence of the suspect in Caloocan City, he opened fire against the operatives.
The firefight between the operatives and the suspect, said to be a former cadet of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, lasted for about 30 minutes. The SWAT team used tear gas to help neutralize Nuñez.
"The NCRPO mourns the loss of a brave comrade who offered his life while fulfilling his sworn duty," Estomo said. "The courage shown by Cpl. Ogano, who fearlessly faced danger to fulfill his duty cannot be overstated.
