Injured cop in illegal fireworks raid dies

MANILA, Philippines—One of two police officers who sustained injuries following a clash with illegal fireworks vendors in Quezon City Thursday afternoon died while being treated in the hospital, police said.

Police Officer 2 Bernard Quintero died at the FEU NRMF Hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds from a M14 riffle allegedly fired by a Muslim vendor at the Fairmont Subdivision in Regalado, North Fairview, said SPO2 Merlito Guatlo of the Quezon City Police District.

The other injured policeman from QCPD station 5, PO2 Jessie Adajar, was still being treated in the hospital, he said.

Police officers were deployed around 11:50 a.m. to Regalado in North Fairview to conduct a raid on illegal fireworks vendors ahead of the New Year revelry.

Guatlo said that clearing operations were  ongoing in the area and further investigation was being conducted to find the suspects.