BACOLOD CITY -- A former policeman in Negros Occidental was killed in a shootout during a buy-bust conducted by operatives of the Bacolod Police’s City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) in Barangay 20 here at dawn Thursday.
The police identified the fatality as Richard Dollosa, 35, of Barangay Progreso, Binalbagan town, who was dismissed from service in January last year for serious neglect of duty.
He went absent without leave (AWOL) for 87 days during his stint at the Candoni Municipal Police and was also included on the counter intelligence watch list of the Negros Occidental Police.
Dollosa, who was identified by the police as a drug user and pusher, and a gun runner, attempted to shoot Insp. Adrian James Albaytar, CDEU assistant team leader, during the operation in Purok Avocado at about 4:10 a.m.
Albaytar had wanted to ask Dollosa about his involvement in the illegal drug trade, but the latter fired at him and missed. He fired back and hit Dollosa on the chest.
Two of the former police officer’s companions, Jessie Concengo and Paul Chavez, were arrested. The operatives also seized 11 grams of “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) worth PHP140,000.
Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, director of Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas), who visited the city Thursday, commended the Bacolod Police force led by Senior Supt. Francisco Ebreo for the successful anti-drug operation.
“I am happy with what happened. Our city police director is showing that he deserves to be here. Our policemen here are inspired to do their job,” Bulalacao said.
“This means that whoever you are, whether you’re a former policeman or still in the service, if you’re involved in illegal activities, especially drugs, you will end up like what happened to (Dollosa),” the PRO-6 chief added.
Bulalacao said PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde also congratulated the policemen in Bacolod for the achievement.
“When I received the text message from Francis (Ebreo), I immediately submitted it to the chief PNP and he answered, ‘Congratulations.’ Meaning, he is happy that my subordinate unit commanders are reacting,” he added. (PNA)
