Rookie cop, suspected drug pusher killed in Ecija shootout

SAN ISIDRO, Nueva Ecija – A rookie policeman and a suspected drug pusher cum gun-for-hire were killed following a shootout here yesterday morning, police said.

Senior Superintendent Crizaldo Nieves, provincial police director, identified the fatalities as Police Officer 3 Jacinto Gregorio Jr. and suspected drug pusher Bernardo Magno, alias Boy of Barangay Calaba here.

Both Gregorio and Magno died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Nieves said the shootout erupted at around 6 am yesterday when joint operatives of the intelligence division of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office (NEPPO) and the provincial public safety company (PPSC) led by police Superintendent Ricardo Villanueva swooped down on Magno’s house, armed with a search warrant for violations of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

  While serving the search warrant, Villanueva’s team negotiated with Magno to surrender to prevent bloodshed as he was inside his house with his wife Chona, armed with long firearms.

But while trying to negotiate, a firefight ensued, which left Gregorio dead in a pool of blood. Magno was heavily wounded in an ensuing exchange of gunfire and was rushed to a hospital in Gapan City where he was pronounced dead-on-arrival.

Magno’s wife was unhurt.

Recovered from the encounter scene were one M-14 Armalite rifle, one M-16 Armalite rifle, one 12-gauge shotgun, one caliber 45 pistol and assorted live ammunitions, spent shells and illegal drugs.

Nieves said the operation was in line with the directive of Region 3 police director, Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta to all seven provincial directors in Central Luzon and the city station commanders to map out stricter security measures through the conduct of patrol operations and the serving of search warrants. (Manny Galvez)