Two cops hurt in Lucena City drug buy-bust

LUCENA CITY — Two police officers were wounded in a buy-bust operation that ended in an armed encounter in this city on Friday night (February 24), a report said Saturday.

Lucena City police chief Lt. Col. Erickson Roranes said in a report that operatives were conducting a drug sting operation in Barangay (village) Ibabang Dupay in front of a shopping mall at around 9 p.m. when Gerald Diadesma, the subject of the operation, sensed that he was dealing with police agents, pulled out a handgun, and shot the undercover police officers.

Police Staff Sergeant Arnel Buemia sustained a gunshot wound on the right side of his chest while Police Staff Sergeant Donald Bulaklak was hit on his right knee.

The police officers, both members of the Quezon police drug enforcement unit, though wounded, still managed to return fire.

Diadesma was able to escape but was later arrested in an undisclosed place. The report said the suspect also had a gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The wounded police officers were confined in a local hospital for treatment.

The police are conducting further investigation.