CEBU, Philippines - "Surrender peacefully."
This is the statement of Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, to bad elements so that no more lives would be lost during police operations.
"Awhagon nako katong mga suspected drug pushers nga dili na unta mosukol kung naa nay mga polis nga mo-raid sa ila, kay for sure wa gyud silay dag-anan," Gillamac said.
Gillamac's appeal stemmed from two separate bloody operations in Medellin town and Danao City where the suspects tried to engage in a shootout with police officers.
The suspects sustained gunshot wounds and were brought to the hospital after the operations.
Gillamac commended Medellin police chief Senior Inspector Christopher Fernandes and his men for a "job well done."
Gillamac said that the Medellin operation was a legitimate anti-illegal drugs operation and ended up in the shooting of a certain Nemesis Victoria who tried to draw his .38 caliber revolver upon seeing the cops. Victoria was allegedly a cohort of the target of the operation.
He was shot twice in the chest and once in the stomach by Fernandes and was brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
In Danao City, a habal-habal driver with a standing warrant of arrest for frustrated homicide sustained several gunshot wounds after he engaged in a shootout with the arresting officers on Thursday night.
Senior Police Officer 3 Ildefonzo Prosia identified the wanted person as Nonilon Seri, 39, of Barangay Tabok Camalig Bato, Danao City.
When Seri noticed the presence of the arresting officers, he immediately ran towards his motorcycle, took a firearm and opened fire at the police officers.
The police officers told Seri to put down his weapon but he boarded his motorcycle and tried to flee, prompting PO3 Fiel Restauro to shoot at him.
He sustained two gunshot wounds to his waist and was brought to the Danao District Hospital but was transferred to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
Gillamac said that he does not want any casualties, either from the police force or the suspects, but said they cannot avoid it if the suspects will fight them.
"Naa may hustisya noh, di man kinahanglan nga mosukol siya sa kapolisan kay di ko mosugot nga naay makalas nga kinabuhi sa kapolisan ug sa suspetsado," Gillamac said.
Both the suspects are now in critical condition but Gillamac said the CPPO is willing to extend support. — Bryner L. Diaz/ATO (FREEMAN)