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A POLICEMAN was wounded when he was shot by the uncle of a suspected drug pusher he arrested following a buy bust operation in barangay Moabog, Tabogon town, northern Cebu.
PO3 Ramil Maglasang was shot in the shoulder by Arman Soronio, who was also arrested after he exchanged fire with the police.
Members of the Tabogon police and the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas went to Moabog past 9 p.m.on Friday to conduct a buy bust operation against Noel Soronio, who was allegedly involved in illegal drug activities in the barangay.
Maglasang, who acted as poseur buyer, transacted with Noel near a basketball court. The policeman handed two P20 bills to Soronio in exchange for four rolled marijuana sticks.
After accepting the marijuana, Maglasang and another policeman, PO2 Tito Precillas, arrested Noel.
The two policemen and the suspect were about to leave the area when Arman pointed a gun at the nape of Precillas.
Maglasang shoved the gun but it went off, hitting him instead.
A shootout that lasted for about two minutes ensued.
Arman was hit and was eventually arrested.
Police said two other unidentified men were involved in the shootout but both managed to escape.
Maglasang and Soronio were brought to a nearby hospital then transferred to the Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City.
Police said a .38 revolver was recovered from Arman. A .22 magnum revolver and P400 were also found inside the tool box of his motorcycle.
Maglasang was visited at the Chong Hua Hospital by Senior Supt. Erson Digal, chief of Cebu Provincial Police Office, and Chief Supt. Lani-O Nerez, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7).
The policeman was given a Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (PNP Wounded Personnel Medal) by his superiors.
Digal said separate awards would also be given to the Tabogon police.
Digal said Nerez assured the family of Maglasang that he would shoulder the policeman's hospital expenses.
Police said charges were being readied against the Soronios while follow-up operation is ongoing to arrest the other two men involved in the shootout./CORRESPONDENT JUCELL MARIE P. CUYOS
