TWO police officers were killed in a buy-bust operation in Bocaue, Bulacan, after being shot by their target. The suspect, who stole the gun of one of the officers, used it to shoot and kill the second officer.
The PNP Public Information Office identified the slain officers as Police Staff Sergeants Dennis Cudiamat and Gian George Dela Cruz, both assigned to the Bocaue Municipal Police Station.
“We assure the families of our fallen heroes that justice will be served. A full investigation is underway, and an extensive hot pursuit operation is ongoing to track down the remaining suspect responsible for this heinous crime. We will not rest until the perpetrators are held accountable,” stated the PNP in a released statement.
According to a statement posted on the Facebook page of the PNP Police Regional Office 3, the incident occurred on the afternoon of March 8 in Sitio Tugatog, NIA Road, Brgy. Tambubong.
PNP Region 3 reported that Cudiamat and Dela Cruz were conducting a buy-bust operation against illegal gun sales, which resulted in the deaths of the two officers.
CCTV footage showed a suspect fleeing the scene, pursued by a plainclothes police officer on a motorcycle. The officer was the first to be killed, and the suspect seized his gun and motorcycle. Another officer pursued the suspect but was also shot and killed.
“The gun used was the one he took from the first officer he shot,” said Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, Regional Director of the Central Luzon Police.
A reward of P200,000 has been offered by the Central Luzon Police and the municipality of Bocaue for the suspect’s capture.
“We believe he will not be captured alive because based on information provided by the informant, these brothers are deeply involved in gun sales,” Fajardo added.
According to a statement from PNP Region 3, Cudiamat sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Dela Cruz was rushed to the hospital but died.
The suspect fled to Pandi, Bulacan, and is still being pursued. Another target, the suspect’s brother, who is also a resident of Pandi, was apprehended.
