Anti-drug cop shot in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - A Makati City anti-illegal drug policeman is in critical condition after he was shot in the chest Saturday night while checking reports that drug deals were being conducted in Barangay Olympia.

Superintendent Jaime Santos, Makati police deputy chief for operations, said Police Officer 2 Victoriano Cruz, 40, was checking the situation along J.B. Roxas Street when “Bebet” shot Cruz and his male companion.

“Bebet let PO2 Kokoy Cruz’s motorcycle pass him by first before firing shots at them,” Santos said over the phone.

A shootout out ensued before Bebet fled, Santos added. Both Cruz and his companion were hit and onlookers rushed them to Ospital ng Makati on Malugay Street.

A separate report made by the Makati City police operation section, on the other hand, said Cruz was to render police assistance to a “fighting” Lawrence Roque, 35, and Norberto Garcia, 38, about 9:30 p.m.

“However, when PO2 Cruz was about to approach the place…he was shot by Norberto Garcia with (an) unknown firearm, hitting him in his chest,” read the July 3 report signed by Chief Inspector Alex Fulgar.

The cause of the fight was not stated in the report but said Roque sustained a gunshot wound in his back. Garcia allegedly left Cruz “sprawled on the floor” before fleeing in a maroon Nissan car with license plate NCP-266.

Shells from .9mm and .45 caliber handguns were recovered at the site, the report added.

Santos said Cruz will be transferred to Makati Medical Center because the bullet has yet to be removed from his chest.