PHILIPPINE NATIONAL Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, on Thursday ordered a manhunt against the drug suspects who killed a police officer during a buy-bust operation in Cavite on Tuesday night.
“I have already directed the Regional Director, Police Region Office (PRO) 4A (Calabarzon) Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz to do everything in his power to hold those responsible for the death of Staff Sgt. Karl Marty Manzanilla accountable. Hindi ako papayag na hindi makamit ng pamilya ni S/Sgt. Manzanilla ang katarungan kaya tinitiyak ko sa kanila na mananagot ang may mga gawa nito (I will not allow the family of S/Sgt. Manzanilla to be deprived of justice so I assure them that those who did it will be held accountable,” Eleazar said in a statement.
The suspects identified as Marlon Pacia, Jun-Jun Javier, and Jomarie Pacia were able to flee while other suspected drug personalities, Jesabel Cadag, Jemuel Pillar, John Pacia, and John Lloyd Pacia, were arrested.
According to a police report, the suspects sensed that they were transacting with police operatives in Barangay Salawag, prompting one of them to pull out a .45-caliber pistol and shoot Manzanilla and another police officer, Pat. Ariel Maribojo.
Manzanilla and Maribojo were rushed to Dasmariñas City Medical Center but Manzanilla died on the way to the hospital.
“Ang nangyaring madugong engkwentro sa Cavite ay pagpapatunay lamang na palaban at seryoso ang banta ng mga nagtutulak ng droga at isa sa mga napakaraming patunay na hindi maaamong tupa at mga biktima ng umano’y human rights abuses ang mga ito na gaya ng gustong palabasin ng iba (The bloody encounter in Cavite is just proof that the threat of drug pushers is serious and real and that they are not tame sheep or victims of alleged human rights abuses, as others want to make it appear),” Eleazar said.
Meanwhile, the arrested suspects will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. ( Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)