ARMED ENCOUNTER. Three persons, including a police officer, were slain while two others were wounded during a gun buy-bust operation in Barangay Gen. Lim, Orion, Bataan on Tuesday (May 23, 2023). The Bataan Police Provincial Office said in a report that Cpl. Darnel Alfonso, a member of the Bataan Provincial Intelligence Unit, was killed during an exchange of fire that ensued during the operation. (Photo courtesy of the Bataan PNP)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Three persons, including a police officer, were killed and two others were wounded during a buy-bust operation against alleged gunrunning activities in Barangay Gen. Lim, Orion town in Bataan on Tuesday.
The Bataan Police Provincial Office said in a report that an exchange of fire ensued during the operation which resulted in the killing of Cpl. Darnel Alfonso, a member of the Bataan Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) and two suspects whose identities were not known yet.
Those wounded, on the other hand, were Maj. Dennis Duran, officer-in-charge of the Bataan PIU and Staff Sgt. Glenn Salac, also a member of the Bataan PIU.
The three police officers sustained gunshot wounds and were immediately rushed to the Bataan General Hospital.
However, the report said Alfonso was declared dead on arrival while Duran and Salac are now in stable condition.
Investigation showed that the suspects opened fire against the advancing police personnel which resulted in the armed encounter.
Recovered during the operation were one Colt .45 caliber pistol with inserted magazine loaded with 12 pieces of live ammunition, another unbranded .45 caliber pistol loaded with six live ammunition, one homemade shotgun 12 gauge with four live shells, and one hand grenade MK2 fragmentation high explosive.
“We express our condolences to the family of Cpl. Darnel S. Alfonso. Our snappy salute to the bravery he has shown. He was killed in the line of duty defending the province of Bataan,” Col. Palmer Z. Tria, acting provincial director of the Bataan Police Provincial Office, said in a statement.
He commended the gallantry and heroism of their personnel who exhibited bravery in the successful conduct of a police operation.
“Our men and women in uniform displayed exceptional skills, dedication, and professionalism in the line of duty, resulting in the neutralization of notorious criminal elements and the seizure of illegal firearms,” he said.
Tria called on the public to continuously support law enforcement agencies as they work towards a safer and more secure province.
“We encourage everyone to report any suspicious activities or information to our authorities, for we can only achieve our goals by working together,” he added. (PNA)
