TANZA, Cavite – A police officer and a drug suspect were killed in a gunfight that erupted during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Biga on Sunday, April 24.
After transacting with the police poseur buyer, suspect Leovildo Mesa Alangilan tried to escape and engaged the police in a gunfight.
Alangilan drew out a hand grenade but the device exploded on his right hand.
Despite being injured, the suspect continued to shoot at the operatives and hit Cpl. John Paul Digma on the chest.
The police also hit Alangilan, who died on the spot.
Digma was rushed to Tanza Specialists Medical Center but died during medical treatment.
Staff Sgt. Francis Mark Cortez of Tanza Municipal Police Station (MPS) told the Manila Bulletin that they recovered two short firearms, 11 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected methamphetamine or shabu, and one sachet of marijuana from the suspect.