Philippine police arrest John Paul Lopez, alleged accomplice of Kawit, Cavite shooter, Rolando Bae
Image/Mike Gonzalez (TheCoffee) via Wikimedia Commons
The man accused of assisting the drug-fueled random slaughter of at least seven people in Kawit, Cavite, near the Philippine capital of Manila, has been arrested, according to an AFP report Saturday.
After a police search for a man who allegedly helped the gunman, Rolando Bae, load his semi-automatic pistol, they arrested John Paul Lopez in Imus town near Kawit late Friday.
According to Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo, “We are investigating the level of his involvement, but definitely he faces criminal charges.”
Thursday night, a former village politician, Rolando Bae, apparently heavily under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamine (shabu) walked around the slum town of Kawit randomly shooting neighbors with a .45 pistol.
Among the victims include seven-year-old girl and a pregnant woman. Police spokesman Arnulfo Lopez told AFP news agency: “It was random. He would fire at anybody who crossed his path.”
At least a dozen others were wounded in the shooting rampage.
As Bae returned home police arrived demanding his surrender. Bae shot at police and a gunfire ensued resulting in the death of the gunman.
It was reported that Bae was a known drug dealer and had been taking methamphetamines since New Year’s Eve. Upon investigation of his home, police discovered “paraphernalia” used for methamphetamines, known locally as shabu, in his home.
The accused accomplice, John Paul Lopez claims Bae forced him at gunpoint to load the clip of the .45-caliber pistol between the shootings; however, officials aren’t buying it.
In an interview on DZMM radio, Cavite governor Juanito Victor Remulla said, “He changed the clip three or four times as Bae broke into houses. He (Lopez) could have easily escaped.”
