A routine anti-illegal drug operation turned into a tragedy late Monday evening, May 11, after a suspect and his mother allegedly launched a violent knife attack on police officers, leaving one sergeant dead and two other personnel wounded in La Castellana , Negros Occidental.
The Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of the La Castellana Municipal Police Station targeted a known “Street Level Individual” identified as Edward Acupan, 41, in Sitio Talaptap, Barangay Talaptap.
The operation spiraled into violence during the attempted arrest, the police said.
Acupan reportedly resisted and attacked the team with a double-bladed weapon. The suspect’s mother, Delia Acupan, 68, allegedly joined the fray, repeatedly stabbing the operatives as they struggled to subdue her son, the police reported.
The confrontation resulted in one cop dead and two injured.
- PMSg Davy Carampatana: Sustained fatal stab wounds. He was rushed to the La Castellana Rural Health Unit but was declared dead.
- PCPT Michael Muñez (Deputy Chief of Police): Sustained multiple stab wounds. He is currently in stable condition at Bacolod Doctors Hospital.
- PCpl Gerson Guache: Suffered minor injuries during the struggle.
The primary suspect, Edward Acupan, also sustained injuries and remains under police custody at a local health unit.
His mother, Delia, is currently detained at the police station.
Recovered by the police ere:
- Multiple sachets of suspected shabu with a street value of Php 47,600.
- The bladed weapons used in the attack.
- Buy-bust money and various drug paraphernalia.
PBGen. Romano V. Cardiño, Acting Regional Director of the Police Regional Office Negros Islands Region (PRO NIR), expressed profound grief over the loss of Carampatana.
“We mourn the untimely death of PMSg Davy Carampatana who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. For me he is a hero, his courage and dedication in the service of the people will never be forgotten,” Cardiño said.
He assured the families of the slain and injured personnel that the organization will provide all necessary assistance and support during this difficult time.
Cardiño reminded all police personnel to exercise maximum caution and vigilance in the conduct of police operations, especially during high-risk anti-criminality and anti-illegal drug operations.*
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