MANILA, Philippines — A policeman, who was posing as a buyer, was killed by a drug pusher during a buy-bust operation in Cebu City on Tuesday late afternoon.
The cop was identified as Police Master Sergeant Maximino Macua Jr., a member of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group.
Police said he was killed after a shoot-out ensued between the operatives and the suspect which occurred in Brgy. Mambaling, Cebu City.
Macua was rushed to the Miller Hospital in Cebu City but was later declared dead. Police were able to arrest two suspects identified as Franco Obeso and Jeramea Zafra.
In an interview in Camp Crame, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said that Macua was not protected during the operation. Macua is the 57th police casualty since the government launched its campaign against illegal drugs in 2016.
“Ito yung problema namin kasi, siyempre, when you act as a poseur buyer you are not protected,” Gamboa said.
(This is the problem when you act as a poseur buyer, you are not protected.)
“Mayroon din naman kaming protection, ‘yung tinatawag naming undershirt vest but kapag sinuot mo kasi ‘yun and you are protected hanggang level 3 pistols, very obvious yun na makikita,” he added.
(We have protection. It’s what we call the undershirt vest where you can be protected from level 3 pistols but if you wear it, it will be obvious.)