Traffic enforcer shot dead by cop who mistook him for motorcycle thief

A traffic enforcer was killed after he was shot by a policeman who mistook him for a motorcycle thief.

According to Chino Gaston's report on "24 Oras", the victim was identified as Edgar Follero, who was reportedly helping a friend whose motorcycle had stalled.

Paul, the victim's companion, said Foleiro helped him push his broken motorcycle home from Pandacan, Manila.

They stopped at Roosevelt Station but were approached by the police officer who shot Follero.

After the shooting, the suspect approached the police in the area and introduced himself as Police Lieutenant Felixberto Rapana Tiquil of the Manila Police District Anti-Carnapping Unit (MPD-DACU) and surrendered.

Tiquil refused to give a statement to the media, but he shared with his fellow police officer that he followed the two from Manila to Quezon City, where he shot the victim.

“Nakita niya 'yung victim na may kasama na pinapadyak ang isang motorcycle. So sa kanila yung modus ang tinignan nya, where in pinapadyak. Ang initial na ginawa niya pinara, so hindi kasi tumigil. So nasundan from Nagtahan bridge pababa sa Sta. Mesa and then sa may G. Araneta and nakarating dito sa atin sa Munoz,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Imelda Reyes said.

The victim's wife filed a case against the suspect, currently detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detention Unit in Quezon City Police District.

“Malaman laman ko yung asawa ko pinagbabaril siya ng pulis hindi po siya binigyan ng pagkakataon para magpaliwanag. Pinagbintangan lang po siya ng carnapping,” said the victim’s wife.

Atty. Rafael Calinisan, Executive Officer People's Law Enforcement Board, said the suspect is facing charges of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

“Kung kinakailangan idismiss ang abusadong pulis dito ay tutuluyan namin ito,” Calinisan said. —Sherylin Untalan/NB, GMA News