One dead; three others, including cop, hurt in anti-illegal gambling op

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A man who resisted arrest died while three others, including a policeman, were wounded in an anti-illegal gambling operation in Barangay Dancalan, Ilog, Negros Occidental last Saturday.

Police identified the slain suspect as Abundio Redoble, 35, of the said village.

Wounded were Police Captain Thurslie Castillo, Ilog town police chief, and two suspects – John Mark Redoble, 25, and Samson Tagapan, 63, and a 16-year-old boy.

Police Executive Master Sergeant Jomel Villavicencio, deputy chief of Ilog Municipal Police Station, said that a team of six operatives led by Castillo responded to a report on illegal gambling.

They introduced themselves as officers upon arrival in the area, prompting at least 30 bettors of Cara y Cruz to run away.

But three persons armed with an ice pick and knives allegedly resisted arrest, Villavicencio said.

Villavicencio said that Abundio then allegedly stabbed Castillo until they grappled with the bladed weapon.

Due to severe injuries suffered by Castillo from the stabbing, the latter allegedly fired shots at Abundio to neutralize him.

When Abundio’s younger brother John Mark saw his wounded sibling, he also allegedly attacked Castillo, prompting the latter to also shoot him with his issued firearm.

The brothers’ companion, Tagapan was also shot by Castillo in the leg, as he was also armed with a bladed weapon, Villavicencio said.

The minor, who is Abundio’s stepson, was wounded when he was hit by a stray bullet in the hand, according to Villavicencio.

Abundio was declared dead on arrival at a hospital while John Mark is confined at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) here, Villavicencio said.

John Mark is under hospital arrest, while Tagapan is detained at the police station. The minor was turned over to his family, according to Villavicencio.

Prior to the incident, Abundio was allegedly creating alarm and scandal in the area because he was already drunk, Villavicencio said.

Villavicencio said that Castillo, who suffered stab wounds in his left leg, buttocks, and right elbow, is now stable in a hospital.

Police are preparing charges against the suspects.