CEBU, Philippines - One was killed while two others, a policeman included, were injured during an encounter in Barangay Sacsac, Dalaguete, Cebu.
Police Officer 2 Reynaldo Vidas suffered gunshot wounds in his stomach and left arm when he was shot by one Resty Rodrigo, 34, whom the police were pursuing in Dalaguete town since Thursday night.
Rodrigo died during hot pursuit yesterday morning. His cohort, Jovan Mariscal, 19, suffered from a gunshot wound after Vidas shot him.
Senior Police Officer 3 Cleto Pia, officer in charge of the Dalaguete Police, said Vidas went to his house at around 10 p.m. last Thursday to have dinner when he noticed Rodrigo and Mariscal in the area.
Vidas was supposed to return to the police station after eating when he noticed that the two men were still in the area. When he tried to approach them to ask what they were doing there, Rodrigo reportedly aimed his gun at him.
Vidas then pulled out his service firearm, a .9mm pistol, but Rodrigo shot him first, hitting him in the stomach and left arm.
Despite his wounds, Vidas still managed to shoot at the suspects and hit Mariscal in the arm.
Pia said they started pursuing the suspects by midnight and closed possible exit points. They arrested Mariscal in Barangay Sacsac the following morning.
It was in Barangay Sacsac that the police and Rodrigo exchanged fire. Pia, who was leading the operation was almost hit had it not been for a warning from his colleagues. The operation ended with Rodrigo lifeless.
Pia said they learned that Rodrigo was detained previously for murder, which was later dismissed.
They also found out that Rodrigo and Mariscal were among the drug personalities being monitored in the area.
The police recovered a.45 caliber with magazine loaded with live ammunitions and extra bullets from Rodrigo’s possession and another .357 revolver with five live ammunitions from Mariscal. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/JMO (FREEMAN)