Cop in Manila rubout case just ‘super excited’ – Erap

MANILA, Philippines – The police officer who shot dead a suspected robber in Sampaloc, Manila, just got carried away by his excitement over the prospect of neutralizing a notorious target, former president now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said on Wednesday, July 22.

“The policeman who shot him was super excited, that is why he was not able to hold himself,” Estrada said in an interview on ANC’s Headstart.

Five Manila cops were tagged in the alleged “rubout” of Robin Villarosa, notorious for allegedly robbing and killing students outside the University of Santo Tomas, according to police investigations.

Closed circuit television (CCTV) footage showed Police Senior Inspector Rommel Salazar shooting Villarosa even if the latter appeared to be surrendering after his capture.

Estrada said he did not tolerate how the police handled the situation, but appealed for public understanding for the police officers who were dealing with a “well-known and established criminal.” 

“But we have to show justice to any guilty person, unless proven [otherwise],” Estrada added, referring to the pending investigation of the policemen involved.

Scholarships

Estrada also said he pitied the family of Villarosa and pledged to provide for his children’s education.

“Ako na magpapaaral diyan….Wala namang kasalanan ‘yung mga bata, so we’ll be like their father in giving them education,” Estrada said.

 (I will provide for their education. The children have nothing to do with the crime, so we’ll be like their father in giving them education.)

The mayor laughed when he was compared to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s iron-fisted approach to crime, but said he supports the reinstatement of the death penalty in the country.

Estrada said that criminals cannot be meted the death sentence in the Philippines, and blamed this for the proliferation of illegal drugs in the streets. He noted that 92% of villages in Metro Manila are affected by illegal drugs.

The 4 other policemen who were involved in the alleged “rubout” were Police Officer 3 Ferdinand Valera, Pollice Officer 1 Ronald Dipacina, Police Officer 1 Rhoel Landrito, and Police Officer 1 Diomar Landoy. They surrendered to authorities on Friday, July 17, and were placed under restricted custody of the Philippine National Police pending investigation.

A civilian asset had claimed that the whole operation to capture the suspected robber was planned, except the killing of Villarosa. (READ: Manila ‘rubout’ was planned says police asset) – Rappler.com