BACOLOD CITY – A 38-year-old police officer was stabbed dead and three others, including a deputy police chief, were injured in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Talaptap, Barangay Talaptap, La Castellana, Negros Occidental on Monday night, May 11.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) identified the victim as Police Master Sgt. Davy Carampatana of the La Castellana Municipal Police Station.
Injured were Police Capt. Michael Muñez, La Castellana deputy chief, Police Corporal Gerson Guache, and suspected drug pusher Edward Acupan.
Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said that 41-year-old suspect resisted arrest and attacked lawmen with a bladed weapon. Acupan’s 68-year-old mother joined the scuffle and stabbed police.
Muñez sustained multiple stab wounds and confined in a hospital here and Guache had minor injuries. Acupan was taken to the La Castellana Rural Health Unit where he is under hospital arrest.
Acupan’s mother was arrested and faces appropriate charges.
Recovered from the suspect were sachets of suspected shabu valued at P47,600, marked money, drug paraphernalia, and bladed weapons.
Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, PRO-NIR director, condoled with the family of Carampatana.
“We mourn the untimely death of Carampatana who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. For me he is a hero, his courage and dedication in the service of the people will never be forgotten,” Cardiño said.
He assured families of the slain and injured personnel that the Philippine National Police will provide all necessary assistance and support.
Cardiño reminded lawmen to exercise maximum caution and vigilance in the conduct of police operations.
Carampatana entered the service in 2010 and served for about 16 years, according to Malong.
La Castellana Vice Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan, a former police officer, condoled with the victim’s family and described the incident as heartbreaking.
Carampatana was killed weeks after Police Master Sgt. Romulo Galvez Jr. of the Bacolod City Police Office was gunned down by a suspected drug pusher in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Singcang-Airport here. The suspect was wounded and passed away in a hospital.