A POLICE official and five anti-narcotics operatives were awarded for neutralizing a suspected drug personality in Barangay Basdiot, Moalboal town, Cebu.
Police Regional Office-Central Visayas Director Robert Quenery has issued an order on Thursday, March 8, giving Medalya ng Kagalingan (Philippina National Police's Medal of Merit) to Chief Inspector Jose Rovic Villarin, Moalboal's police commander.
Villarin's personnel Senior Police Officer 3 Alex Nable, Police Officer 3 Brian Yosores, Police Officer 2 Niño Ridaza, Police Officer 2 Nestor Villanueva Jr., and Police Officer 2 Elmer Grengia received the same medal.
Alleged drug pusher Ricky Cabag Sadagnot, 37, was killed in a shootout with Villarin's team on Friday afternoon, March 2.
The operatives were to implement a warrant of arrest issued by Barili Regional Trial Court Branch 60 Judge Leopoldo Cañete for drug charges.
Sadagnot's common-law wife Aiza dela Cruz Dionaldo, 28, was arrested for trying to help the suspect escape.
Dionaldo shouted at the operatives that her partner was not around. She had been charged with obstruction of justice before the provincial prosecutor's office.
The noise warned Sadagnot, who was inside the house. He opened fire at the operatives, who retaliated and hit him in the body.
A .45 pistol loaded with bullets, empty shells and drug paraphernalia were recovered during the operation. (KAL/VoxPop Cebu)