ANTI-ILLEGAL drug operatives killed a 25-year-old drug suspect who allegedly fought back (nanlaban) during a drug bust along JV Serina street, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Friday, August 17.
Killed was certain Rotsen Cubar alias Bunso, resident of Igpit Opol, Misamis Oriental.
Cubar sustained gunshot wounds on his chest.
Initial investigation disclosed that the suspect drew and fired his caliber 45 pistol after sensing that he was transacting with the police.
Senior Police Officer 2 (SPO2) Alphie Sabaduquia was hit when he was about to arrest the suspect. The bulletproof vest worn by the police saved his life.
Report said Police Officer 2 (PO2) Alfred Ken Santos, who acted as poseur buyer retaliated hitting the suspect on the chest.
Authorities recovered a caliber 45 gun with ammunition, two fired cartridges believed to be of 9mm pistol, four fired cartridges believed to be of caliber 45, a sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu,” and the suspect's personal belongings.
In a statement, The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) was saddened with the result of the operation, but it maintained that the operation was legitimate and that the operating troops were only protecting themselves from the armed suspect.
Cocpo spokesperson Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa II said the city police does not want to kill any suspect in whatever operation they would carry out.
"Since the suspect poses danger to the operating troops by firing his weapon first to our personnel that is why our personnel have no choice except to retaliate," Hortillosa said.
Hortillosa said the Cocpo's internal affairs service will automatically conduct an investigation.
"Naa gyud na investigation nga mahitabo basta naay suspect mamatay sa operation but it’s very clear that the suspect was very dangerous at that time kay kung walay bulletproof vest ang atong personnel basin naay namatay sa atong personnel," he added.