Two men were arrested after they allegedly fired at two Bacolod police intelligence operatives in Brgy. Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, on Wednesday night, June 3.
Police identified the suspects as Bernard Traje, 29, of Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, and Romeo Araiz, 28, of Bacolod City.
The incident happened at around 9 p.m. along Magsaysay Avenue while PCpl. Ruben Aldevira and Pat. Lowrence Esmeralda, both assigned to the City Intelligence Unit of the Bacolod City Police Office, were conducting covert intelligence monitoring.
Initial investigation showed the police operatives were on board a Toyota Vios and were heading to the BCPO headquarters when they noticed two men on a motorcycle tailing them.
Upon reaching the area in front of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology gate, the operatives stopped their vehicle.
Police said one of the suspects got off the motorcycle, drew a firearm, and fired at Aldevira, prompting Esmeralda to return fire.
No one was reported injured during the exchange.
The suspects fled toward Lacson Extension and Alijis Road but were later arrested near Maranatha School in Purok Hollowblocks, Brgy. Singcang-Airport during a hot pursuit operation by CIU personnel with support from Police Station 8.
Recovered from Araiz were a .45 caliber pistol, one live ammunition loaded in the chamber, and a magazine with five live ammunition.
Recovered from Traje were four sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 20 grams with an estimated value of P136,000, a Rusi motorcycle, and an Android cellphone.
Police said the suspects will face complaints for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.*
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