PNP honors wounded cop in Samar drug ops

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 25 (PNA) - The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas recognized the bravery of a police officer who was wounded in an anti-drug operation in Marabut, Samar on Wednesday.

PNP acting regional director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar pinned the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (PNP Wounded Personnel Medal) to Police Officer (PO) 1 Nestor Villanueva Thursday morning. He is now under treatment at the St. Paul’s Hospital, this city.

The junior police officer was injured while attempting to serve a search warrant to Ernesto Gonzales, 49, for illegal drugs trade and illegal possession of firearms.

Villanueva was with PO1 Gary Cabaguing of Samar Provincial Public Safety Company, who was killed during the police operation.

The policemen were approaching Gonzales’ house in Loreto village, Marabut town when the suspect, who was hiding in a foxhole under the house, opened fire, hitting Cabaguing in the forehead.

Gonzales managed to escape after the fire fight using a foxhole exit under his house.

“Police operation is now on-going to arrest the suspect,” Beltejar said.

Police operatives recovered illegal drug paraphernalia, shabu, ammunitions, shotgun, and hand grenade inside the suspect's house. (PNA)
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