GenSan cop slain in anti-drug operation hailed as a hero

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The Police Regional Office 12 (Soccsksargen) hailed as a hero a rookie police officer in this city who died Monday night after an anti-drug operation.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, PRO 12 Director, said Wednesday slain Police Officer (PO) 1 Butch Balatayo gave up his life to ensure the city's streets are
safe and free from illegal drugs and criminality.

The 27-year-old intelligence officer was shot by an associate of a suspected drug pusher during a pursuit operation in Saway, Purok Maguindanao in Barangay Labangal at Sunday dawn.

He died of gunshot wounds on his back at the intensive care unit of St. Elizabeth Hospital  past 11 p.m. on Monday.

“Ito po ay isa na namang kabayanihan at pagbubuwis ng buhay para sa kaayusan at katiwasayan, lalong lalo na sa paglaban kontra kriminalidad at iligal na droga (This is another heroic act and sacrifice of a life for peace and order, especially in the fight against criminality and illegal drugs," Morales said in a statement.

He said Balatayo was clearly ready and willing to "risk even his own life for our country."

He said PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde, who visited the city and nearby Koronadal City on Monday, was able to visit Balatayo minutes after he expired, and personally condoled and handed over financial assistance to his family.

Senior Supt. Raul Supiter, city police director, said Balatayo was aboard his motorcycle chasing a fleeing drug suspect identified as Malik Sadam Noor when he was shot.
He said Noor was initially subjected to a buy-bust operation in Barangay Labangal but managed to escape.

Noor's alleged cohort, Jasier Marlon Mama Addat, 23, shot Balatayo on the back, he said.

Supiter said Noor was later arrested and was found with three sachets of suspected matemphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

He said Addat, who is a criminology student, was arrested in his house in Road 3, Purok Maguindanao in Labangal in a follow-up operation Sunday afternoon.

Before he expired, the police official said Balatayo was able to confirm Addat as the gunman.

Supiter said Addat turned out positive in the paraffin test conducted by PRO-12's crime laboratory. (PNA)