A Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team leader was shot dead during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Concepcion, Iloilo City on Sunday morning, Oct. 29.
Staff Sgt. Michael Malan, 42, of Barangay Calaparanin Arevalo district suffered multiple gunshot wounds on his body. He was declared dead on arrival at St. Paul’s Hospital where he was rushed for treatment.
In press conferene, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director Colonel Joeresty Coronica said the SWAT team headed by Malan rushed to the scene as operating cops requested for augmentation.
The operation was carried out by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), DEU of the Police Regional Office (PRO-6), and Iloilo City Police Station 1.
According to reports by local radio stations, one of the three suspects reportedly ran to his house after sensing that he was dealing with a poseur buyer, and later on fired at the operatives.
The suspects, classfied as high-value individuals (HVIs), surrendered after more than two hours of standoff. They were identified only by their aliases “Bong-Bong,” “Ivan,” and “Kate.”
Seized form the suspects were 11 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 1,156 grams with an estimated total value of P7.8 million, marked money worth P20,000, and one 9mm Taurus handgun.
In a statement, City Mayor Jerry Treñas said he was “deeply saddened” by the death of Malan.
He assured that the city government would “support in whatever way possible the family” of the slain member of the elite force.
“I condole with his family and the whole PNP family,” said Treñas.IMT
