ILOILO — A police officer wounded during a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay Anilao, Pavia, Iloilo on the night of January 22 is now in stable condition, police authorities said.
According to Police Capt. Ritz Field Presquito, officer-in-charge of the Pavia Municipal Police Station, the incident occurred at around 10 p.m. during a buy-bust operation against a suspect identified as John Jun Jingco, alias “Jun,” 28, a resident of Purok 3, Pavia.
Presquito said Jingco was a known drug personality allegedly involved in illegal drug activities and theft incidents in Barangays Purok 3, Anilao, Pagsangaan, and Tigum. He had previously been arrested in an earlier buy-bust operation but reportedly returned to illegal drug activities after his release.
Police said that after the transaction was completed and the poseur-buyer identified himself as a police officer, Jingco fled and ran about five meters before pulling out a homemade 12-gauge shotgun and firing at the pursuing officers.
A police corporal was hit in the abdomen and was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he remains under medical care. Authorities later confirmed that the wounded officer is in stable condition and has already spoken with investigators.
The suspect was arrested and is now in police custody.
Recovered from Jingco were a homemade 12-gauge shotgun and suspected shabu weighing an estimated 70 grams, with an estimated street value ranging from P408,000 to P476,000, police said. Authorities added that the suspect allegedly sourced illegal drugs from various suppliers, including those based in Iloilo City. Jingco also admitted to selling illegal drugs, claiming it provided fast income. He also disclosed that he previously served an eight-year prison term at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City for a carnapping case.
Police are preparing charges against the suspect for frustrated homicide, violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act./PN
