A POLICE chief and a newly-identified drug personality were injured after engaging in a shootout in Barangay Palayog in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Wednesday afternoon, March 21.
Wounded were Chief Inspector Jake Barila, town police chief, and suspect Dabi De Ysasi, an adopted son of a gun enthusiast.
Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., provincial director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said personnel of Hinigaran Municipal Police Station led by Barila responded to the call for assistance from the suspect's mother around 9:15 a.m.
Ysasi's mother reported that her son was acting violently inside their house, firing his .45 caliber pistol indiscriminately.
The suspect also allegedly mauled and threatened to kill his mother if she failed to give him money.
When the police arrived, the suspect, who was hiding inside a room, was caught holding a firearm. He was wearing a bulletproof vest.
Barila tried to convince Ysasi to calm down.
The negotiation lasted for about three hours, but the suspect even acted more violently.
Barila encouraged him to surrender, but the suspect fired at the police chief twice, hitting him in his left thigh.
Barila, who was also wearing a bulletproof vest, fired back, hitting the suspect in his chest twice.
Both were brought to hospitals in Bacolod City.
The Provincial Police Mobile Force Company and Special Weapons and Tactics team took over the situation.
Police recovered from the scene five links of .30 caliber machine gun ammunition, a link for 50 caliber machine gun and assorted ammunition boxes, a bipod for M60 machine gun, kevlar helmet, several fired bullets of .45 caliber pistol, a bulletproof vest, a back M-18 apers mine, para ordnance .45 caliber pistol loaded with a magazine and seven live ammunition, and three mounted reloading machines for shotgun, .9mm, and .38 caliber.
Castil said Ysasi is a newly-identified drug personality based on the latest monitoring of the police.
The suspect has records for alarm and scandal in the village because of his violent behavior, Castil added.
As of 7 p.m. of March 21, both were already in stable condition.
Castil said Ysasi will be charged with illegal possession of explosives and firearm, illegal manufacture of ammunition, and attempted homicide or serious physical injury.
Castil, meanwhile, said that Chief Superintendent Cesar Binag, regional director of Police Regional Office-Western Visayas, has already reached out to the town policemen through the phone.
Castil, who visited Barila at a hospital, said the police chief will be commended for his bravery in the call of duty.