Cop hurt in shootout with drug trafficker

MANILA, Philippines - A police officer was wounded after he traded shots with a suspected drug trafficker and his accomplice in Barangay Rizal, Makati Thursday.

Senior Police Officer 2 Donnie Tidang of the Makati police intelligence unit suffered gunshot wounds in the arms and legs, city police chief Senior Superintendent Ernesto Balam said.

Tidang remains confined at the Makati Medical Center.

The police officer managed to shoot and kill alleged drug trafficker Christopher Cruz “alias Balo,” of Barangay Ususan, Taguig City, during the exchange of gunfire.

Cruz died at the scene. His companion, John Paul Soria, 26, was wounded and taken to the Ospital ng Makati for treatment.

Initial investigation showed that the shootout happened at past 6 a.m. along Adahlia street in Barangay Rizal.

Reports said Tidang was conducting a surveillance operation on Cruz. It turned out that the suspect had been tipped off that he was Tidang’s target.

Cruz, who was on motorcycle with Soria, surprised Tidang and shot at him. But Tidang was quick to fire back at the suspects.

Recovered from the suspects were two .45 caliber pistols, police said.