Three, including cop, killed in Cebu buy-bust operation

February 12, 2020

Three people, including a policeman, was killed while three were arrested during two anti-illegal drugs operation in Cebu City on Tuesday.

Police Gen.Archie Francisco Gamboa, the PNP chief, said the policeman was killed during the buy-bust operation in San Roque Tabada, Brgy. Mambaling  around 5:30 pm.

"Yes unfortunately it was a buy-bust operation. M/Sgt. Maximino Macua Jr.," he said giving the identity of the slain cop. Gamboa said he is the 57th police officer killed since the war on drugs began when President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016.

Macua is a member of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit 5 that was involved in the operation.

Initial report showed that the firefight occured after the suspects fought back  against authorities after it sensed the presence of operatives.

Macua sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to Miller Hospital in Brgy. San Nicholas, Cebu City.

Two suspects were arrested while uring the pursuit. They were Jeramea Zafra and a certain Franco Obeso who was arrested at the Vicente Sotto Medical Center around 7:30 pm of the same day.

Obeso, identified by SOU-5 members, as the one who had started the shootout in Mambaling.

Police said another encounter occured at the vicinity of Sitio Cauayan, Brgy. Quiot, Cebu City during the pursuit operation around 11 pm.

The clash resulted in the death of two suspects, one of them was identified as Ronald Sagarino and the arrest of a certain Richie Requinto for violation of illegal possesion of firearms.

Following the death of Macua, Gamboa emphasized his instruction to police operatives to not let suspects hit them first during an operation.

"We will always be abiding by evidence-based operations but my instruction is still standing: do not let the suspect hit you first," he said.

"If the suspect took his gun you should hit him first and rest assured the PNP will be at your back to defend you if ever you are protecting yourselves for your survival," he added. Robina Asido/DMS