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'MISENCOUNTER' CAUGHT ON CCTV

Cops, Resorts World security fired at each other while responding to deadly attack


A security team of Resorts World Manila and a team of policemen fired at each other as they tried to respond to lone gunman Jessie Carlos' attack at the establishment on June 2.

CCTV footage of the "misencounter" was shown during the House of Representatives joint inquiry into the attack that led to the death of 37 guests and employees.

Footage showed the two teams at the corridor heading toward the fire exit staircase.

Officials from the Regional Public Safety Battalion of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Bernard Cajigas, head of the team of hotel security personnel, fired at the police team first.

“At that time, sir, may dalawang rapid deployment company, special action unit teams. They were entering the building through that exit. Tactical movement po sila—they were in complete uniform, with helmet, all black, with a police shield in front. They challenged that gunman (Cajigas) there, ‘Tropa, tropa?’ Because Mr. Cajigas was in civilian (clothes),” Supt. Limuel Obon, battalion commander, told lawmakers.

“Although he had two officers by his side, they were away, and in their (police) line of sight, it was this man with a gun, in slippers, whatever, that came to their line of sight. They challenge him, ’Tropa?’ He was the one who first fired at them, and they fired at him,” he added.

Cajigas was hit during the encounter, but it was not fatal.

Chief Insp. Freddie Webb Mercado, the company commander leading the said police team, said Cajigas “suddenly appeared alone,” with two officers nearby.

“Nagto-‘Tropa, tropa?’ kami to make sure walang cross-fire, pero ang ginawa po niya, imbes na mag-respond, hindi siya nag-reply. So nagkaroon ng misencounter, tapos he ran off,” Mercado said.

He added that one or two of the three officers who were with them then fired back at Cajigas during the incident.

“[There was one holding a] ballistic shield, that’s the one who protected the other personnel,” he said. “Without the ballistic shield, baka tinamaan din ‘yung tao natin.”

The issue was raised by lawmakers, quoting a statement from Cajigas, saying he got his wound from the gunman, and not the police.

Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, chair of the House committee on Public Order, noted that the Resorts World security personnel made the said claim in a statement delivered before the PNP Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA).

Resorts World officials, meanwhile, said they did not know that Cajigas issued the said statement before SOSIA. —JST, GMA News

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