Pubdate: Sun, 11 Sep 2005
Source: Sunstar Pampanga (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2252
Note:  also listed as a contact
Author: Marna H. Dagumboy
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Philippines

COP SHOOTS, KILLS PEDICAB DRIVER IN DRUG BUST

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - A buy-bust operation in Barangay Dolores here
Thursday night turned into a bloody encounter after a member of the
city police force shot and killed the brother of a suspected drug peddler.

Sources identified the police officer as Senior Police Officer 2 Manny
Canlas, while the man he shot was identified as one Melchor Dalanpuri,
26, a pedicab driver residing in the area.

Reports said Canlas, along with elements of the city police, went to
Barangay Dolores to conduct a buy-bust operation, which targeted
Dalanpuri's brother Rodel, a suspected drug peddler.

Witnesses, who requested anonymity, told police that Canlas, during
the buy-bust, pointed his gun at the local folk.

The victim, witnesses said, was trying to mediate with the police, who
were then arresting his brother for drugs, when he was allegedly shot
at close range by Canlas.

But Canlas claimed that the victim bashed him with a piece of wood,
which prompted him to shoot the latter.

Meanwhile, Provincial Police Director Leonardo Espina and City Police
Chief Nicanor Targa said Canlas will be charged for homicide and even
assured the victim's family that there will be no whitewash in the
investigation of the incident. 
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