Cop wounded in Iloilo drug sting; suspect nabbed

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A police corporal was wounded during a buy-bust operation late evening of Jan. 22 in Pavia, Iloilo.

The officer sustained pellet wounds to the abdomen after being shot by a drug suspect during the sting at Barangay Anilao.

Reports said the corporal was serving as backup for his fellow officer, who posed as the buyer in the transaction with the suspect, identified as alias “Winnie,” 27.

The buy-bust was consummated after Winnie handed over a sachet of suspected shabu in exchange for PHP 5,500.

According to Capt. Ritz Field Presquito, chief of Pavia Municipal Police Station, the suspect sensed he was dealing with police and backed away as the officers moved in to arrest him.

Winnie then drew a break-type homemade shotgun, locally known as a sulpak, and fired, hitting the police corporal.

The injured officer was rushed to the Asia Pacific Medical Center – Iloilo, where he underwent surgery and is now in stable condition.

Despite the incident, Winnie was eventually subdued and arrested. He yielded around 70 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 476,000.

Presquito said the suspect is a former convict previously jailed for drug peddling, robbery, theft, and vehicle theft. He was released from the New Bilibid Prison in October 2025 after serving his sentence.

Just two weeks before the buy-bust, Winnie had been charged with robbery in connection with a recent house break-in.

The suspect admitted to engaging in drug peddling, claiming it was a quick way to earn a large amount of money.

Presquito said police had placed Winnie under surveillance for three months before launching the operation.

He is now in the custody of the Pavia Municipal Police Station and will face multiple criminal charges, including violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), and frustrated homicide.