By Anthony Giron
Cavite, Philippines – A plainclothes intelligence operative died in a gun scuffle with a drug pushing suspect whom he tried to arrest during an anti-drug operation last Thursday on Pogi St., Barangay Niog 1, Bacoor, Cavite, a police report said yesterday.
Police Officer 1 Pedro Lalin Enriquez, 29, died of a bullet wound between his eyes at Saint Dominic Medical Center in Bacoor.
Enriquez’s own gun went off as he and one “Paa,” an alleged notorious drug pusher, were grappling for the weapon. Paa, his brother, a certain “Jekjek”; and another suspect hastily fled in an alley leading to Barangay Talaba 7 after the gun fire.
Superintendent Edgar B. Roquero, Bacoor police chief, said that the gun scuffle ensued as Enriquez was accosting Paa and the other suspects singlehandedly as six other intelligence operatives led by Police Officer 2 Glen Camaro were at a distant area.
Paa and Jekjek (full-name withheld for the meantime) were released from jail only three weeks ago after they posted bail on a drug case, it was gathered.
The gun fire came as the police team was swooping down the area, a known lair of drug pushers.
Enriquez was detailed at Bacoor Municipal Police Station Intelligence Section. He was the second policeman killed in drug-related attacks in Bacoor, Roquero said.
Philippine flag was flown at half-mast at Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) compound in Camp General Pantaleon Garcia in Imus as a respect for the fallen officer.
Peers and friends said that Enriquez died a hero as he was killed by criminals he was arresting during the operation.
Enriquez was described by his comrades as “a good and jolly officer.” “Mabait siyang kaibigan, lagi niyang pinasasaya ang mga kasama niya, komedyante siya (He is a good friend, he makes everyone happy, he is a comedian),” said Police Officer 2 Babes Eleazar of the PPO-Public Information Office (PIO).
Senior Superintendent John C. Bulalacao, PPO director, ordered his officers to get Paa and the other suspects by all means.