Off-duty cop kills robber

A MAN was shot dead by a police officer who caught him robbing passengers inside a public utility jeepney (PUJ) in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 24.

The suspect was identified as Hygie Mendez Mambiar, a resident of Sitio Tabay Lawom, Barangay Tisa. PO3 Nemesio Dinopol, a member of the Parian Police Station, shot him after he resisted arrest.

Investigation showed Dinopol was in the front seat of a 04H jeepney, which plies the route of Plaza Housing in Barangay Busay to the Carbon Public Market via Osmeña Blvd. and vice versa.

When the PUJ driven by Arnel Lechido arrived at the corner of Magallanes and El Filibusterismo Streets in Ermita, Dinopol heard someone from the back shouting, “Ambi na inyo mga cell phone! Pamusilon ta mo (Give me all of your cell phones! I will shoot you)!”

Dinopol turned his head and saw the armed robber seize two cell phones from passengers later identified as Rocky Gique and Jaime Gabucan.

Dinopol declared he was a police officer and aimed his service pistol at the suspect.

Instead of surrendering, Mambiar tried to shoot, prompting the police officer to open fire.

The suspect jumped out of the PUJ and ran some 50 meters before falling unconscious to the ground.

Notorious criminal

The victims recovered their cell phones.

Crime scene investigators recovered the suspect’s 9mm pistol, which had three bullets in the cylinder and four empty shells.

Carbon Police Station Chief Randy Caballes said Mambiar was a noted robber in Barangay Tisa.

Dinopol told Caballes that Mambiar was the younger brother of Renante Mambiar, the man who shot and killed Maxine Bolongaita, daughter of veteran broadcaster Alex Bolongaita, in September 2017.

Dinopol will receive a commendation from Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma.

Garcia said she will recommend that the Police Regional Office 7 also give him a Medalya ng Kasanayan (Philippine National Police Efficiency Medal).

She said Dinopol did not hesitate to help his fellow passengers even if he was off duty.

“It’s a good example to the police that even if you are not on duty, if your service is needed, you have to give your services and even your life if it is necessary. (Dinopol is) a classic example of a police officer that we should imitate,” she said.

Garma said she ordered a background check on other PUJ heists to determine if Mambiar was behind them. (From AYB of SuperBalita Cebu, KAL)