GAMU, Isabela — The government’s anti-crime and illegal drugs campaign has proven to be a “no joke” as the Philippine National Police (PNP) lost 48 police officers from killings and 122 others from injuries since 2016, PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Tuesday.
Albayalde visited Barangay Upi here to condole with the kin of slain Mallig police chief, Senior Insp. Michael Angelo Tubaña, who was shot and killed by two suspected drug men, Walter Bulauit and a 17-year-old boy in Centro Uno, Mallig, Isabela at 10:15 p.m. Sunday.
He also awarded benefits and posthumous award to the kin at the St. Peter funeral parlor here.
“Police Senior Inspector Tubaña is a hero for risking his life. A promising police officer, he is too young to die but we cannot prevent casualties in our anti-drug and anti-crime fights,” he added.
Tubaña, his intelligence men and assets were then having anti-drug operations at that time.
Albayalde said the gunmen might have been using handmade Cal. 38 handguns in killing policemen.
He said that they have been disallowing now drunkards and vagrants at the streets to preempt crimes.
Police Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Cagayan Valley regional police director, said they have been preparing charges against Bulauit and the minor, who has been turned over to the social welfare department.
He, however, said they have been verifying the real age of the minor who is alleged to be not a minor. (Bill Visaya/PNA)
