Ferro: Cop who survived Lapu attack found in President's narco-list

THE failed attempt to kill a police officer in Lapu-Lapu City on Sunday morning, Aug. 30, 2020, could be related to illegal drug trade as his name was included in the President Rodrigo Duterte's list of law enforcers involved in narcotics.

This information on SMSgt. Artemio Tumakay III, who was ambushed by four unidentified men at Marbeach in Barangay Marigondon, was revealed by Police Regional Office 7 Director Albert Ignatius Ferro.

Tumakay survived the attack by the gunmen, who fired more than 30 bullets from their high-powered firearms.

The police officer was able to fire back at the masked gunmen, who retreated and left the area onboard a white Toyota Tamaraw. Two persons were wounded in the crossfire.

Ferro said Tumakay was reassigned to the Cordillera police office in Luzon after allegations surfaced that the police officer was involved in illegal drugs. The reassignment of Tumakay and 46 others to far flung areas happened on Aug. 18, 2016.

The investigation on the incident will be conducted by the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, and one of the motives that will be pursued is Tumakay's alleged involvement in narcotics, according to Ferro.

A task force, said Ferro, might be created to fast-track the inquiry.

Ferro described the presence of Tumakay in Cebu as questionable, saying the latter should have been in Cordillera at the time of the incident as the Philippine National Police is on high alert due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent bombing in Jolo, Sulu.

The police general would like the investigation to know if Tumakay was in Cebu on a vacation leave.

Investigators will also determine if Tumakay had received threats prior to the attack.

The bullet casings retrieved from Marbeach were forwarded to the police crime laboratory for examination. (AYB, CBQ)