Cop kills marijuana-carrying traffic violator in Naga City

NAGA CITY — Police shot and killed a traffic violator who turned out to possess a pack of dried marijuana leaves Tuesday noon, a police officer said Wednesday.

Senior Police Officer 2 Tobias Bongon, spokesperson of the Naga City police, identified the slain suspect as Rafael Peñera.

Bongon said Peñera was flagged down by Police Officer 1 Joan Ancheta for not wearing a helmet while driving his motorcycle towards Sitio Sagrada Familia (Isla Sison) in Barangay Peñafrancia. During their exchange, Peñera accidentally exposed a sachet of marijuana from his pocket while fidgeting for papers.

Bongon said Peñera was brought to the outpost for booking. But, while there, he hit Ancheta on her left jaw and grabbed the policewoman’s service firearm.

SPO1 Carlos Neola responded to Ancheta’s cries for help and shot Peñera twice, hitting him on the head and chest. Peñera died while being transported to Naga City Hospital, Bongon said.  SFM