Cop in toothpick shootout surrenders

The Manila policeman who went into hiding after figuring in a shootout with another policeman over a toothpick in Caloocan surfaced Wednesday afternoon.

Police Officer 2 Paul John dela Fuente, 33, of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 1, was accompanied by his lawyer, his parents, and former Station 1 commander Superintendent Gerry Corpuz when he showed up at the office of MPD directorial staff chief Superintendent Danilo Macerin at around 3:30 p.m.

Corpuz was removed from his post after the incident but worked to convince Dela Fuente to face the charges against him.

“I was in constant contact with his family and had been convincing him that his career is over if he doesn’t come out,” Corpuz told

Macerin said Dela Fuente was reassigned to the MPD Headquarters Support Unit pending the precharge investigation on his administrative case.

Dela Fuente was charged with being absent without official leave after hiding for 13 days.

Senior Police Officer 1 Romel Bautista, 42, assigned with the Caloocan police investigation division, had filed charges of frustrated murder and direct assault against Dela Fuente while his fellow Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) member Danny Sta. Maria filed a charge of attempted murder.

A source said a top police official tried to negotiate with the INC but Dela Fuente’s father reportedly offended Bautista and the Caloocan police.

Dela Fuente and a woman were eating at a carinderia on Sept. 17 when Sta. Maria took a toothpick from the lawman’s table.

Witnesses said Dela Fuente felt insulted and badmouthed Sta. Maria, triggering a fistfight.

Outboxed by Dela Fuente, the bloodied Sta. Maria went to the INC chapel in the area and sought help from Bautista, who was about to attend a service.

Bautista was about to approach Dela Fuente when the latter shot him, witnesses said. Though wounded, Bautista shot at Dela Fuente but missed.

Dela Fuente fled on foot, leaving his motorcycle behind.