Cop hurt as mother disrupts Escalante drug bust

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A police officer was injured after a 49-year-old woman allegedly assaulted him to prevent authorities from taking her 15-year-old son into custody during a buy-bust operation in Purok Nabantuan, Barangay Balintawak, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, on Monday.

Lt. Col. Florendo Fajardo, chief of the Escalante City Police Station, said the target of the operation was a 39-year-old suspect identified only as alias Jam, who remained at large.

Fajardo said police were investigating the minor’s alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Police seized suspected shabu worth PHP 4,624 during the operation.

Fajardo said the woman allegedly punched a police operative as authorities attempted to take her son into custody.

Police were preparing complaints against the woman for obstruction of justice, oral defamation, and slight physical injuries.

The woman was released after the allowable detention period expired.

Police were also preparing drug-related complaints against the two suspects allegedly involved in the transaction.

The minor was placed in the custody of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, which handles children involved in cases requiring protection and appropriate intervention.