Cop on drug watchlist killed, student injured in Batangas shooting

BATANGAS CITY, Philippines (The Filipino Connection) – A suspended police officer included in the station’s drug watchlist was killed while a college student was injured in a shooting that transpired along Governor Carpio Road, Barangay Kumintang Ibaba here on Thursday morning, police said.

Police Superintendent Barnard Dasugo, Batangas city police chief, identified the victim as P03 Nestor Dimaano, 49, member of the Batangas City police’s patrol section and resident of Barangay Tingga Itaas.

Another passenger named Mekellah Roma Agustin, 17, who was seated at the back of the driver, got injured after the same bullet that hit the policeman also hit her face.

Initial police investigation said at about 11:10 a.m., the victim was riding on a passenger jeepney on a full stop at the said road’s junction when two motorcycle riding suspects arrived and the backrider shot the victim with his firearm of unknown caliber.

The suspects, both wearing helmet and jacket, immediately escaped heading towards the direction of Barangay Kumintang Ilaya.

Dimaano was immediately rushed to the Batangas Medical Center but doctors declared him dead upon arrival while Agustin underwent treatment at the said hospital. They recovered a fired bullet of caliber 45 pistol from the crime scene.

Investigators said they are investigating the angle of the victim’s alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade as one of the motives, noting that the victim was ranked 1038th on his mother unit’s drug watchlist for his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

On August 1, he was also suspended from service for failing to declare his statements of assets liabilities and net worth as a policeman.

***

Marlon Alexander Luistro is the editor of The Filipino Connection, a regional partner of Philstar.com.