Cop wounded by drug dealer

A Makati policeman remains in critical condition after he and his civilian companion were shot by a suspected drug dealer as they were trying to validate information about a drug transaction in Barangay (village) Olympia on Saturday night.

Superintendent Jaime Santos, Makati police deputy chief for operations and public information officer, identified the victims as Police Officer 2 Victoriano Cruz, 40, assigned with the police force’s Special Anti-Illegal Drugs’ Special Operations Task Group, and Lawrence Roque, 35.

Roque, who was hit in the back, is in stable condition although Cruz, who was shot in the chest, remains under observation at Makati Medical Center’s intensive care unit.

Investigation showed that the shooting took place at around 9:30 p.m. on J. B. Roxas Street in Olympia, Makati City.

Before the shooting, Cruz reportedly received information that a drug transaction was ongoing in the area. He then asked for permission from his superior to validate the information.

When Cruz went to the area along with Roque, a drug dealer identified only as “Bebet” shot them before fleeing in a car, Santos said.