CEBU CITY – A drug suspect was killed while a policeman was wounded in an hour-long gunfight in mountainous Barangay Jampang, Argao town, Cebu early Friday morning, September 13.
A VEHICLE of the Argao, Cebu police station sustains bullet holes during a shootout on Friday morning, September 13. (Contributed photo)
The shootout occurred when operatives of the Argao police led by Major Janus Giangan were ambushed on their way to serve an arrest warrant against Joeraldine Bajenting Gevana.
Gevana, who was wanted for drug charges, was killed in the shootout.
Giangan said Gevana was a member of a gun-for-hire group operating in Argao.
He said they anticipated that Gevana’s group may stage an ambush on their way to his house.
Expecting the possible ambush, Giangan said he and some operatives disembarked from the police vehicle as they approached the suspect’s location.
Giangan said they were following the police vehicle on foot when gunmen fired at them.
Police returned fire and hit Gevana while his companions escaped.
Giangan said there were at least 10 armed men who waylaid them.
“I was the target of the ambush. There were three bullet holes on the side of the car where I sat before I got off. They knew that I usually sit beside the driver,” said Giangan.
Giangan assumed as chief of the Argao police last May 28. He has been receiving death threats as he intensified the town’s anti-criminality campaign.
He said the threats are coming from gun-for-hire groups. Giangan said there are at least five hiding in the town.
These armed groups have built tunnels in mountain barangays as their hideouts.
“Ila man daw ko ihawon (They threatened that they would kill me). They even bought scopes and grenades,” said Giangan, who added that the threats were sent through Facebook Messenger by individuals who created fake accounts.
Giangan said a sniper shot their vehicle. He said the threats that he has been receiving will not stop him from running after criminals in Argao.
“This is my job. These threats will not stop me from performing my duties. We know the risks that come with being a police officer,” said Giangan.