An alleged drug peddler was killed while two police officers and the suspect’s live-in partner were wounded in a gun battle that ensued during a drug sting operation in Sampaloc, Manila, Monday night.
Ricardo Gulapa, alias Julius Garcia, 51, died on site from six gunshot wounds in the body, police said.
Police Officer 2 Ronald De Pacina, who sustained a bullet wound in the arm; and Police Officer 1 Michael Carabeo, who was hit in the abdomen, were rushed to University of Sto. Tomas Hospital.
Myla Cruz, the 45-year-old partner of Gulapa, was brought to Ospital ng Maynila due to a gunshot wound in the abdomen, according to police report.
The Manila Police District (MPD) Station 4 Drug Enforcement Unit carried out a fake drug transaction inside Gulapa’s house on Migulin Street at around 7:30 p.m.. PO1 Robert Guimong acted as the poseur-buyer.
After the deal was closed, Gulapa sensed that it was an entrapment, prompting him to draw his firearm and open fire at the cops, said investigator SPO4 Ronald M. Gallo of MPD homicide section.
Back-up operatives immediately proceeded to the area but the other relatives of Gulapa tried to stop them from entering the house, police said.
Other operatives, including De Pacina and Carabeo, managed to enter the house and engaged Gulapa in a firefight.
Gulapa died while De Pacina and Carabeo were wounded during the clash.
Police said Cruz tried to get one of her partner’s firearms, prompting the police to shoot her.
Gulapa’s body was brought to Archangel Funeral Homes for autopsy and safekeeping.
A loaded .38-caliber revolver; a .45-caliber Armscor loaded with two live bullets, five sachets of suspected shabu, and R200 marked money were recovered from the crime scene.
Meanwhile, the relatives of Gulapa who intervened in the police operation namely: Ronnie Garcia, 48; Jomar Garcia, 18; and Gregorio Arce, 35, were detained at Sampaloc Police Station. (ANALOU DE VERA)