A police official allegedly involved in the illegal-drugs trade was killed on Monday by his own colleagues during a buy-bust operation in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.
A report from the Camp Crame-based Counter Intelligence Task Force (CITF) identified the fatality as Supt. Santiago Rapiz, logistics officer of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office.
Rapiz, the police report claimed, was listed on the narcotics list of President Duterte, which also include the names of other police officials and even politicians.
The CITF, in its report to Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde, said Rapiz was subjected to a joint operations by the CITF, the Police Regional Office 9 and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency at past 7 p.m. on Monday.
The report said that, while the team was transacting with Rapiz during a buy-bust operation inside the compound of Andres Bonifacio College in Dipolog City, he sensed that he was actually dealing with a poseur-cop buyer.
Rapiz jumped to escape but was cornered by arresting policemen. However, instead of surrendering, he reportedly opted to draw his firearm and fired toward the arresting policemen, prompting them to retaliate.
Rapiz sustained gunshot wounds in the body and was rushed to the Corazon Aquino Hospital but was pronounced dead upon his arrival by an attending physician.
Albayalde, who was in Davao City, said the case of Rapiz should be a lesson for policemen to mend their ways.
“I am saddened that up to now, we still encounter members of the PNP who are involved in illegal drugs,” he said.
“By this time, I think our members in the PNP should know that we are really serious in our campaign against illegal drugs,” he added.