CEBU, Philippines — A police officer was killed in a shootout with suspected drug dealers in a sting in Barangay Mabaling, Cebu City on Tuesday.
M/Sgt. Maximino Macua Jr. of the Drug Enforcement Group in Central Visayas died while being treated at the Miller Hospital.
Two of the suspects, one of them identified as Ronald Sagarino, were killed in an alleged shootout with police officers during a follow-up operation in Barangay Quiot.
Two other suspects, Richie Requinto and Franco Obseo, were arrested.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said Macua is the 57th police officer killed during anti-drug operations since July 2016.
Gamboa said police officers should not hesitate to use their firearms during operations when suspected criminals put up a fight. “The PNP will... defend you if you are protecting yourselves,” he said.
Meanwhile, police said drug suspect Nelson Pecho was killed in a drug bust in Barangay Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan yesterday.
Twelve sachets of shabu and a caliber .38 revolver were reportedly recovered from the fatality.