Cop goes on shooting rampage after mass, killing seven

MANILA: Seven people were killed yesterday when a policeman went on a shooting rampage during an annual festival in the central Philippines. 

More than 20 others, including civilians, were injured in the shooting incident in Kalibo town, Aklan province, 348km south of Manila, which was initially reported as an attack by unidentified gunmen. 

“This is not a terrorist attack or an organised crime group operation,” said Director General Edgar Aglipay, chief of the national police. 

Aglipay said police officer Jonathan Moreno ran amok and went on a shooting rampage after attending mass with his boss, Aklan police commander Senior Superintendent Odelardo Magayanes. 

“He shot Magayanes and another policeman in the back as they went to their cars. He continued shooting around the area until he himself was killed,” Aglipay said. 

The shooting occurred as a crowd gathered to watch a parade and fireworks display for the annual Ati-Atihan Festival, a rowdy and colourful celebration in honour of the Santo Nino, dubbed the Filipino version of the Mardi Gras. 

Moreno shot dead five policemen, including Magayanes and Kalibo police head, Chief Inspector Manuel Elijay, while a 10-year-old girl was killed by stray bullets. 

“Moreno was the primary witness against the suspected number one drug lord in the Visayas region and was apparently under pressure,” Aglipay said. “His family was being threatened so he was not himself.” – dpa