BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
ILOILO City – Criminal charges will be filed against the drug suspect who shot to death a member of the Iloilo City Police Office’s (ICPO) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Concepcion, City Proper on Sunday, Oct. 29.
Police Captain Roque Gimeno III, chief of Iloilo City Police Office 1, said the 52-year-old Glen “Bongbong” Yturiaga faces murder charge and violations of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban. His companions, Ivan Palmejar, 35, and Katrina Espinosa, 42, are also facing cases for violation of RA 9165.
“We are now finalizing requirements in order to file cases against the suspects,” Gimeno added.
Yturiaga, the subject of the operation, resisted arrest and shot dead Police Staff Sergeant Michael Malan of Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo district.
After selling a plastic sachet of suspected shabu worth P20,000 to a police asset, Yturiaga dashed to his second-floor room, locked himself in, and fired shots.
Authorities seized a total of P7,860,800 worth of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia.
On the other hand, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) expressed deep sadness over the incident.
“A noble life is once again lost in our battle against illegal drugs. May Sgt. Malan’s death rekindle the flames in our heart to do our part as citizens of Western Visayas to end the drug menace in our community. The police cannot do it alone, we need the full support of other government agencies which are also clearly mandated to perform law enforcement functions, and also the community members to attain a drug-free Western Visayas. We are now grieving for the death of a comrade but we will remain focus, steadfast, firm, and diligent in our fight against illegal drugs,” said PRO-6 director Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor.
He added: “We will do our best to comfort, support and assist Malan’s family in this most difficult time. Again, our deepest sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family”./PN
