Cop chief hurt in anti-gambling raid; suspect killed

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A municipal police chief in Negros Occidental was injured after he was assaulted by three men during an anti-illegal gambling operation on Saturday night.

The raid also resulted in the death of one of the suspects and injury of two others.

Capt. Thurslie Castillo, chief of the Ilog police, and his five men raided a gambling den in Barangay Dancalan, where about 30 people were reportedly caught engaging in the illegal activity.

Three men – identified as Abundio Redoble, 35; his brother John Mark, and their 17-year-old nephew – allegedly attacked Castillo and stabbed him in the leg, buttocks and elbow.

Castillo drew his gun and shot his attackers. The suspects were rushed to the Kabankalan District Hospital, where Abundio was declared dead on arrival.

Ilog police desk officer Cpl. Ryan Gilongos said John Mark was transferred to a hospital in Bacolod City for further treatment, while the minor was turned over to the municipal social welfare and development office.

Castillo was taken to the Holy Mother of Mercy Hospital, also in Kabankalan City, for treatment. He is now in stable condition.

Probers recovered from the scene of the incident an icepick and two bladed weapons.

Meanwhile, in Laguna, the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor has dismissed a criminal complaint filed against five men earlier arrested for illegal gambling in Calauan town.

The dismissal of the complaint dismayed members of a police team who arrested the suspects during a raid in Barangay Dayap on Thursday.

A document obtained by The STAR showed that prosecutor Seralyn Garcia-Mendoza ordered the Calauan police to release from custody Virgilio Manito, Jeffrey Lansigan, Enrique Alegre, Jerome Antiquera and Mikko Monserrat.

The five were arrested by officers of the Provincial Special Operation Unit for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 or the Anti-Gambling Law.

During the inquest, the respondents reportedly submitted a barangay certification showing they were authorized to conduct baklay and sakla supposedly as a fund-raising activity.

Col. Randy Glenn Silvio, Laguna police director, said the arresting team would file a motion today to contest the dismissal of the complaint.