Cop stabbed dead by suspected drug pusher in Negros Oriental buy bust

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental—A police officer was stabbed dead past noon on Wednesday by a suspected drug pusher during a buy-bust operation in Zamboanguita town, Negros Oriental.

The fatality was identified as PO2 Julius Ceasar Miro Gajetos, 32, and a native of Dumaguete City. He was assigned at the Provincial Intelligence Bureau (PIB) of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (Noppo).

Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr., Noppo chief, said that an initial report showed that the police operatives conducted a buy-bust operation at Sitio Mojon, Barangay Maluay in Zamboanguita town.

An undercover policeman posed as buyer and transacted with the suspect identified as Marvin Salinas.

But Salinas immediately tried to flee when the policemen pounced on him, said Natu-el.

Gajetos tried to block Salinas’ escape but the suspect fought back, resulting in a scuffle.

Salinas, however, managed to stab the policeman in the neck, just below the ear, said Natu-el.

The suspect was eventually subdued by other policemen who then seized packs of “shabu” worth P23,000.

He was detained pending filing of criminal charges.

Gajetos was rushed to the Silliman University Medical Center in Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. SM/RC