Cop killed during police operation

CEBU, Philippines —  A member of the controversial Cebu City Mobile Force Company was shot dead in Barangay Sudlon 1, Cebu City dawn Wednesday during a hot pursuit operation led by the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Cebu Provincial Intelligence Branch.

The victim was identified as Police Corporal Feliciano Yballe Jr., a resident of the barangay.

Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered a .38 revolver and .45 pistol from the crime scene.

Police Major Alejandro Batobalonos, chief of the Drug Enforcement Unit, confirmed that Yballe was the subject of their operation and that he was killed during a shootout.

He also confirmed that the hot pursuit was connected to the killing of Police Master Sergeant Junard Cinco who was killed in an ambush in Toledo City last Tuesday, but did not say if Yballe was a suspect.

“Actually mao na gyud to, shoot out. But dili na lang ko muhatag ug further details kay si Regional Director (Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas) na lang daw (Actually, there was a shootout but I will not give further details because the regional director will be the one to do so),” he told reporters.

Police Mum

As of yesterday, details of the operation remained sketchy, as no one could provide details of the operation on record.

Except to say that Yballe was not a suspect to Cinco’s killing, Sinas remained mum on the operation.

“Negative and hindi siya suspect,” reads his message to reporters.

Police Major Regino Maramag Jr., chief of the Pardo Police who has jurisdiction over Barangay Sudlon 1, said he could not answer questions as he was instructed to refer to the Cebu City Police Office all questions relating to the operation.

CCPO Director Royina Garma, however, did not grant interviews to the press.

Even Yballe’s superior, Police Major Chuck Barandog, the chief of the Cebu Mobile Force Company, refused to give details.

Yballe’s family also refused to grant interview.

Last Tuesday, Sinas said Cinco may have been killed as a retaliatory attack. Cinco reportedly led the case build-up on a high-value target, Gerly Luwagi, who was killed during an anti-illegal drug operation last Monday night in Barangay Basak San Nicolas. —  JMO (FREEMAN)