TACLOBAN CITY- A police officer was killed while another was wounded while they were about to arrest a man wanted for trading illegal drugs.
Killed was PO1 Gary Cabaguing, 32, and a member of the Samar Provincial Public Safety Company while PO1 Nestor Villanueva was wounded and now confined at the Divine Word University Hospital(DWUH).
Cabaguing, who was hit at his face, died on the spot, after he was shot by the suspect, Ernesto Gonzales using a high powered firearm during a firefight inside the latter’s house located in Barangay Logero, Marabut town.
President Rodrigo Duterte was scheduled to visit at Cabaguing’s wake in Catbalogan City last Thursday (August 25) but was cancelled for still unknown reason.
The slain police officer has two children, Gareth and Goran, from his wife, Abegail who is a teacher. He was just five years in service.
Gonzales, who was known to be a “hard criminal” and been pushing illegal drugs in Marabut, remain at-large.
Meantime, Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, police regional director, pinned the “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” to Villanueva at his bed at DWUH recognizing his bravery.
Beltejar said that they would do everything to ensure the captivity of Gonzales.
The police regional director could not hide his sadness over the killing of Cabaguing and the wounding of Villanueva as they were carrying out their duty in apprehending a man who was accused of engaging in illegal drug activity.
The government, under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, has been waging war against individuals who are pushing shabu.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
