MAN HITS SBMA OFFICER OVER CAR PASS, IS SLAIN

By.Ruben Veloria - PEOPLE’S JOURNAL

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- A man who hit a police officer of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority with ax handle on the head was shot dead by an SBMA officer at the sentry of a housing facility.

Major Vicente Tolentino, chief of Operations of SBMA Law Enforcement Department, identified the victim as Reyman Reyes, 41, of Bgy. San Jose, Dinalupihan, Bataan.

Tolentino said Reyes, who was driving his Toyota Avanza, entered the Freeport Zone at Kalayaan Gate in Lower Cabalan, Olongapo City, where he was advised by SBMA officer Michael Magpantay to secure an SBMA car pass sticker.

A heated argument ensued after Reyes allegedly resented Magpantay’s advice.

At 6:20 p.m. the next day, Reyes, together with a 17-year-old boy-companion, entered Kalayaan Gate again Magpantay asked Reyes for his SBMA Car Pass sticker. Without a word, Reyes got off the car and hit the officer on the head using a wooden handle and hurriedly left.

An alarm was relayed to LED Headquarters about the incident. An hour later, Reyes was stopped at the Kalayaan Hill checkpoint but he refused to surrender.

Tolentino, who came to the scene, ordered the uniformed officers to step back, then asked Reyes to open his window for a conversation. Reyes transferred at the passenger’s seat and opened about a quarter of the window and shouted defamatory words at Tolentino and the officers.

Tolentino inserted his arm to unlock the car’s right door but his arm was grabbed by the boy and Reyes bit his hand.

While biting Tolentino’s hand, Reyes grabbed something on the ar’s floor. Moments later, an officer shouted, “Sir, may bakal!” prompting Ulanda to shoot Reyes.

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations Ferdinand Hernandez said an ambulance was called to try to save Reyes who was declared already dead.

A wooden handle, an Armscor. 45 pistol with a magazine loaded with eight live bullets were recovered inside the car.