CAMP OLIVAS, City San Fernando, Pampanga – Two suspects were killed in a shootout that left two police officers wounded in San Miguel, Bulacan Monday, November 28, 2022.

In a report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) Director Brig. Gen. Cesar Pasiwen, Bulacan police commander Col. Relly Arnedo said the fatalities, a “high-value target” (HVT) in Nueva Ecija, and his still unidentified cohort, alleged members of a crime gang involved in the robbery and illegal drug operations in Central Luzon.

Arnedo said the injured police personnel were P/Cpl. Richard Neri and Pat. Aaron James Ibasco, both assigned to the 2nd Provincial Maneuver Force Company (PMFC) of Bulacan PPO (Police Provincial Office).

Initial investigation said before the shootout, the 2nd PMFC was supposed to serve an arrest warrant against the HVT in Barangay Maligaya, San Miguel, Bulacan, for violation of RA (Republic Act) 9165 or illegal drugs.

However, when the operating team was approaching the place, the HVT fired at the policemen prompting the cops to retaliate, killing the two suspects and wounding two cops.

Meanwhile, other suspects with the HVT were also arrested while one man escaped.

Recovered from the crime scene were one gauge shotgun, a .45 Taurus; a homemade pistol; six fired cartridge casings of .45 gun and 14 cartridges of 45 live bullets; nine 12 gauge shells; three units of magazine assembly; 74 cartridges of .30 pistol with five magazines; three fired cartridge casing of .9mm; 13 fired cartridge cases for M16 with a deformed bullet; four plastic sachets of shabu; a digital weighing scale; and assorted drug paraphernalia.

Pasiwen said the two wounded cops are now in stable condition, and he is set to visit them to personally give awards and financial assistance.

The PRO3 chief also commended the operating team for a job well done and assured the public that the Central Luzon cops will continue their campaign to eradicate all forms of crimes, illegal drugs, and loose firearms in the region.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Bernard Galang