BACOLOD City — A police officer was killed while two of his colleagues were wounded after a drug suspect and his elderly mother allegedly attacked law enforcers during a buy-bust operation in La Castellana, Negros Occidental on Monday night, May 11.
Killed was Police Master Sergeant Davy Carampatana, 38, a resident of Isabela. While the wounded were Police Captain Michael Muñez, deputy chief of La Castellana Municipal Police Station (MPS), and Police Corporal Gerson Guache.
The operation was conducted in Sitio Talaptap, Barangay Talaptap, against Edward Acupan, 41, whom authorities identified as a street-level target.
According to the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), operatives from the La Castellana MPS’ Station Drug Enforcement Team, led by Major Romulo Gepilango, were in the process of arresting Acupan when he allegedly resisted and attacked officers with a double-bladed weapon.
Authorities said Acupan’s 68-year-old mother, Delia, also allegedly joined the assault and repeatedly stabbed the operatives during the confrontation.
Carampatana sustained fatal stab wounds and was declared dead on arrival at the La Castellana Rural Health Unit.
Muñez suffered multiple stab wounds and remained confined at Bacolod Doctors’ Hospital in stable condition, while Guache sustained minor injuries.
Acupan was also injured during the incident and is currently under police custody while receiving treatment at the La Castellana Rural Health Unit.
Delia has likewise been placed under police custody pending the filing of appropriate criminal charges.
Recovered during the operation were several sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P47,600, marked buy-bust money, drug paraphernalia, and bladed weapons believed to have been used in the attack.
Police Brigadier General Romano V. Cardiño, acting regional director of PRO-NIR, expressed condolences to the family of the slain officer and honored Carampatana’s sacrifice in the line of duty.
“We mourn the untimely death of Carampatana, who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. For me, he is a hero. His courage and dedication in the service of the people will never be forgotten,” Cardiño said.
The regional police chief also assured the families of the slain and injured officers that the organization would provide the necessary assistance and support.
Following the incident, Cardiño reminded all police personnel to exercise heightened caution during high-risk anti-drug and anti-criminality operations.
Authorities said the crime scene was immediately secured and processed by the Regional Forensic Unit–Negros Island Region. Investigation and preparation of charges against the suspects were ongoing as of press time./PN
