Manhunt ordered vs. killers of Cainta deputy police chief, says PNP spox

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa has ordered a manhunt against the suspects in the killing of Senior Inspector Jimmy Senosin, the deputy chief of Cainta police station.

“The chief PNP ordered the manhunt against these suspects who are responsible for the death of Senosin and assured the bereaved family that justice will be served,” PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao said at a press conference Monday.

Bulalacao identified the suspect as Robin Gomez alyas Ruben Tae, 38, of Lakas Bisig Westbank Road, Barangay San Andres, Cainta, Rizal and included in the drug watchlist; and a certain Ekis.

He said the two used to be robbers in EDSA but are now involved in illegal drugs.

“As expected, since there is an order from chief PNP, the Cainta police and Rizal Provincial Command should intensify manhunt operations against Ruben Tae and Ekis,” he said.

Two other suspects have been arrested and identified as Ronaldo Idolog, 44, and Jophine Lachica, 29.

“The PNP mourns the loss of another police officer in an encounter with armed suspect believed to be members of a drug trafficking group. Senosin succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound at the Pasig City Medical Center  after engaging an armed suspect in a  gun battle in a dark alley at Westbank Road, Barangay San Andres,” said Bulalacao.

An initial police report showed that around 7 p.m., February 11, the Cainta Police received a report that Gomez was seen at Block 3, Lakas Bisig, Floodway with a gun tucked on his waist.

Senosin, with the intelligence team and other police personnel, went to the area to verify the report.

Upon seeing the police, the suspect, accompanied with Ekis, tried to run away but the police gave them a chase.

Gomez pulled out his gun, fired at the police, and even threw a hand grenade at them.

When they reached a dark alley, the police asked the suspects to surrender but the latter still fired at the law enforcers.

Senosin fell to the ground during the firefight.

Gomez was able to escape while Ekis was seen entering a house with a blue gate. The police followed the suspect and there found Idolog and Lachica  in the act of repacking white crystalline substance suspected to be as shabu.

Senosin was taken to Pasig City Medical Center but was declared dead around 1:20 a.m., February 12.

Witnesses said Ekis was seen to have sustained a gunshot wound and was carried on board a vehicle (MN 2578).

The police sought the assistance of the Land Transportation Office to determine the owner of the vehicle.

Bulalacao said that because of the incident, the PNP chief also cautioned police operatives to be more careful and vigilant during police operations especially against illegal drug suspects.

“Dapat maging maingat sila lalo na’t alam nila na ang magiging kalaban nila sa operations ay suspects na involved sa illegal drugs,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News