Cop linked to illegal arms selling killed, another wounded in Masbate operation

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines  — A police officer who was allegedly selling illegal firearms was killed and another officer was wounded in a shootout during an entrapment operation in Placer town in Masbate on Saturday.

Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Bicol Police Regional Office, identified the slain officer as Staff Sgt. Grafilo Pahilino Jr., who was assigned at the Cataingan Municipal Police Station in Masbate.

Calubaquib said Pahilino sold three .38-caliber revolvers and a .45-caliber Norinco pistol worth P25,000 in Barangay Matagangtang at around 7:20 a.m. to a police officer posing as a buyer.

When he sensed that he was transacting with an undercover agent, he drew his gun and fired at the approaching police officers, forcing them to retaliate.

An undercover police officer from the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, whose name was withheld, was wounded in the left arm during the shootout.

Pahilino, who had bullet wounds in his body, was brought to a hospital where was declared dead by attending physicians.

The operating team also recovered from Pahilino his 9-mm service pistol and two magazines.

Calubaquib added that an investigation revealed that Pahilino had long been involved in selling illegal firearms in the province.

He was also linked to the Bustillos drug group operating in Masbate and was an alleged protector of illegal drug personalities in the province.

ATM