By Jhon Aldrin Casinas
Two policemen of Eastern Police District (EPD), who were with an alleged drug pusher carrying around P2.9 million worth of shabu, were injured after they reportedly exchanged gunshots with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents during a buy-bust operation in Pasig City Thursday afternoon.
A report showed that PO2 Marlou Roldan and PO2 Mark Vista were wounded when they allegedly engaged PDEA-NCR agents in a gunfight at a gas station along San Guillermo Avenue in Barangay Buting, Pasig City at around 4:35 p.m. on Friday.
It was learned that Roldan was detailed at the Pasig City Police Community Precinct 9 while Vista was detailed at the EPD Special Operations Unit.
The agents were conducting a buy-bust sting against 35-year-old Raymund Ryan Cruz, the report said.
Cruz was reportedly accompanied by Roldan and Vista during the sting, but the agents have no knowledge that the two men were police officers.
During the gun fight, Roldan was hit by a bullet that slowed him down and led to his arrest. He was rushed to East Avenue Medical Center for treatment, it said.
Recovered from Roldan was his service firearm, his motorcycle and nine plastic sachet of suspected shabu.
It was learned that Roldan was previously assigned at the Pasig City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit and was transferred to the PCP 9 last month.
Meanwhile, Vista, who sustained multiple bullet wounds in the body, escaped but was eventually located after seeking medical assistance at Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City.
On the other hand, the anti-narcotic operatives collared Cruz. They recovered about 430 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P2.9 million from his possession.
PCP commander relieved
Senior Supt. Rizalito Gapas, Pasig City Police chief, told the Manila Bulletin through a text message that he already relieved Police Insp. Edward Olmedo, the station commander of the City Police Community Precinct (PCP) 9, due to the alleged involvement of one of his men in the illegal drug activity.
“Nirelieved ko na ang PCP 9 commander pending investigation (I already relieved the commander of PCP 9 pending investigation),” Gapas said.
“Rest assured that the Pasig Police will not tolerate its peers who are engaged in illegal activity,” he added.
Gapas said that Roldan may face dismissal from service and detention if found guilty of the crime hurled against him.