BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
Policemen shot and killed a security guard, who was allegedly into gun-running activities after he resisted arrest during an entrapment operation near an exclusive subdivision in Brgy. Pahanocoy, Bacolod City at about 3 a.m. yesterday.
Station 8 chief, P/Major Joerey Puerto identified the fatality as Aljhon Menente Cabalhin, 31, of Purok Seaside in Brgy. Tangub.
Reports reaching the Bacolod City Police Office showed that the entrapment operation was conducted by joint elements from Special Operation unit of the PNP-Anti-Kidnapping group led by P/Capt Adrian James Albaytar with station 8 policemen.
Puerto said the policemen and Cabalhin agreed to meet near the Manville Royale Subdivision, where a poseur-buyer will purchase a gun from the suspect.
Puerto also said that Cabalhin opened fire after receiving P2,000 in marked money after sensing that he was dealing with policemen.
He said this prompted the policemen to fire back causing his immediate death.
In an interview, Cabalhin’s mother, Cynthia, said that they do not have any idea that her eldest son was into illegal activities because all she knew was he is working as a security guard.
She said they also want to clarify on how the police operation took place and if, indeed, her son fought back.
She added that her son succumbed to at least two gunshot wounds on his chest.
Puerto said that Cabalhin is listed as top 8 of the most wanted person in the area of Police Station 8.
In fact, he said, Cabalhin has a warrant of arrest for the Crime of Attempted Homicide with criminal case number 18-0932172 issued by Municipal Trial Circuit Court Branch 7 Judge Abraham Bayona.
The members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives led by P/MAJ West Edquila recovered from the crime scene a .45 caliber homemade pistol with serial no. 100592-L loaded with a cartridge and a magazine loaded with four ammunitions, a homemade .380 caliber pistol without serial number loaded with a cartridge in its chamber, and a magazine loaded with six (6) live ammunition of the same caliber.
Policemen also seized from the crime scene a homemade break-type .45 caliber pistol loaded with ammunition, four fired cartridge cases and Cabalhin’s personal belongings.*