Cellphone robbers shoots texting cop

A cop composing a short message on his mobile phone in the dark is a deadly combination. In fact, it was what happened to a member of police member of the Regional Mobile Group (RMG) based in Catagbacan, who was texting in front of his house in Caboy, Clarin, 7:00 pm , May 5. Possibly with the cellphone light acting as a beacon for the criminals, two unidentified suspects swooped down on to the unsuspecting PO1 Raymond Tajanlangit and without any word, pumped a bullet into the victim's breast.

Witnesses said the two suspects were astride a blue Honda XRM motorcycle when the duo hit the victim. Clarin Police investigators said that despite the fatal wound, the victim still managed to run about 30 meters away from the suspects after he was shot. As the victim fled, the suspects fired two more shots toward him but could not hit him.

Late investigations by local police operatives and medico legal records confirmed that the suspects fired to PO1 Tajanlangit at close range and hit his left breast using a .45 caliber pistol. After the incident the two suspects sped away to Inabanga, leaving the victim. Police then posited cellphone theft as the possible motive of the hit. A cellphone snatching alarm has been raised in nearby Sagbayan that same day.

However, in Tajanlangit's case, when he refused to give the suspects his cellphone, the suspects failed to consummate their aim. The victim was rushed to a Tubigon Hospital who refused to treat the victim because of his condition. It was not clear if the refusal was a usual reference to get him to the more complete Gov. Celestino Gallares Hospital in Tagbilaran. The victim however was pronounced dead on arrival at the Gallares hospital.

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