MANILA, Philippines – A rookie policeman and a tabloid reporter were killed in a shootout with suspected drug pushers in Taytay, Rizal before dawn yesterday.
In follow-up operations, police arrested six of the seven suspects.
The incident prompted Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa to order a review of the PNP policy allowing media members to participate in actual operations.
He also reminded journalists to consider first their safety before taking part in any police operations.
Reports reaching Camp Crame identified the fatalities as PO1 Virgilio de la Cruz, 29, of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Rizal police, and Tiburcio “Jojo” Trajano Jr., 35, a reporter of the tabloid Remate.
Verzosa ordered the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force to help locate the seventh suspect, a certain Zoren, said to be the gang leader.
Investigation showed that De la Cruz’s group, together with Trajano and men of the 418th Provincial Mobile Group (PMG), was conducting anti-illegal drug operations in Lupang Arenda in Barangay Sta. Ana, Taytay town following reports of rampant sale of prohibited drugs there.
Police said De la Cruz’s group was getting near the hideout of the suspected drug pushers when they were fired upon.
Senior Superintendent Ireneo Dordas, Rizal police director, said De la Cruz was hit in the first volley of gunfire.
He said Trajano rushed to help De la Cruz but he, too, was shot.
De la Cruz and Trajano, who was covering the Rizal and eastern Metro Manila beat for Remate, were declared dead on arrival at the Manila East Medical Center. They sustained bullet wounds in the head and left chest, and left thigh and upper abdomen, respectively.
Four of the arrested suspects were identified as Steve Kasan, Dhats Kensay, 24; Noraisa Mohammad-Kasan, 26; and Michelle Olitan, 19. The two others are two teenage girls.
Kensay was found in possession of a caliber .38 revolver with three live bullets. Found at the scene were seven empty shells from calibers .45 and 9mm and M-16.
The police team, led by Senior Inspector Aristotle Dogwe of the SOG and Inspector Manuel Magat of the 418th PMG, seized a brick of dried marijuana weighing 460 grams, shabu in seven heat-sealed sachets, aluminum foil and two disposable lighters.
Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad, Calabarzon police director, promised to provide financial help to the families of De la Cruz and Trajano.
“The tabloid reporter was helping us in our drive against illegal drugs so it is just proper that we also extend help to his family,” Palad said. – With Arnell Ozaeta and Ed Amoroso