Two cops hurt in buy-bust operation

CEBU, Philippines – Two policemen were injured after some residents of Barangay Subangdaku in Mandaue City started throwing stones at them to rescue a suspected drug pusher whom they have arrested Monday night during a buy-bust operation.

Police Officer 1 Jeffrey Niez and PO1 Francisco Quipanis sustained head injury and on the left foot, respectively, when the people in Upper Malibu attempted to rescue Joel Patindol.

Patindol was caught selling shabu to an undercover policeman during the buy-bust operation conducted by the City Anti Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force (CAIDSOTF) in Mandaue City.

Patindol allegedly sold a small pack of shabu to the undercover policeman for P300 leading to his arrest. However, the suspect tried to resist arrest creating a commotion in the place.

Some of the residents who noticed the commotion started throwing stones at the police operatives. The mobs however failed to free Patindol from his arresting officers.

The injured policemen were immediately brought to the Mandaue City District Hospital for treatment while the suspect was detained at the Subangdaku Police station pending the filing of the case against him for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act. 

Meanwhile, suspected drug pusher Jury Casera of Barangay Candabong, Alcantara was also arrested in a separate buy-bust operation conducted by the members of the Provincial Intelligence Branch.

Casera, 27, was caught in possession on P13,600 worth of illegal drugs during the operation Sunday dawn. The police confiscated six small packs and 10 medium size packs of shabu and other drug paraphernalia from the suspect.

Casera tried to resist arrest by grabbing the service firearm of PO1 Leah Juares, who served as poseur buyer, prompting the other police operatives to shoot the suspect on the right leg.

"Nailogan na jud na si Juares og pistola maayo nalang kay dali ra kaayo ang back up," said PO2 Sheilo Inot, PIB investigator. Casera will be charged for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act - Flor Z. Perolina and Ria Mae Y. Booc/FPL (FREEMAN)