The fatal shooting of a suspect in the murder of a policeman in Carcar City, southern Cebu was a legitimate police operation, according to the chief of Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO).
Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac said Jesser Gamboa, 25, pulled out a gun when police attempted to approach him in barangay Poblacion III.
Police had gone to the area last Thursday after receiving a report that Gamboa was spotted there.
“It was a legitimate operation,” Gillamac said.
The victim’s family said the death of Gamboa, who sustained 12 gunshot wounds, was an overkill.
“We welcome any investigation. We considered him dangerous because if he can kill a police officer, he would not hesitate to open fire,” Gillamac said.
Gamboa, a resident of barangay Perrelos, Carcar, was tagged as a suspect in the killing of PO1 Felecisimo Unabia Jr.
Unabia was waiting for a bus ride to Cebu City where he was assigned when he was shot by motorcycle-riding assailants in barangay Poblacion last Dec. 11.
Police earlier arrested Marvin Binoya, 31, and Juanito Linggatong, 38, as suspects.
Gillamac said a police operation to arrest the mastermind who hired the gunmen to kill Unabia is still ongoing./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON