A Highway Patrol trooper was killed during a gun battle along Masterson Avenue, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro Wednesday.
SPO1 Sergs de Constantine Maceren succumbed to a gunshot wound in the chest from an M4 assault carbine fired by the suspect.
Maceren was with SPO2 Lyndie Baltazar and PO1 Joel Laurente of the Special Operations Team of Regional Highway Patrol Unit-10, when they flagged down a Hyundai Accent sedan with improvised plates ULI-448.
Maceren and Baltazar were shot as they approached to accost the driver, later identified as Abdulrahim Batawi Adilao of Mabalacat, Pampanga.
Adilao was hit when the lawmen returned fire and he later expired, while Baltazar is being treated for a gunshot wound at a local hospital.
Two days earlier, Maceren filed criminal charges for violation of Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code for Corruption of Public Official against a certain Gary Sabrido Ranalan of Brgy. Lumbia, CDO and Franklin Jhon Cabural Ramos of Brgy. Kauswagan, CDO.
Both Ranalan and Ramos allegedly offered bribe to Maceren for the release of their respective vehicles that were impounded for delinquent registration and unauthorized plate.
According to PNP-HPG Director, Chief Superintendent Roberto Fajardo, a deeper investigation is now underway to verify the background of Adilao, or if he has any link with the two violators arrested earlier.
He said Adilao’s firearm and car have been submitted to the Crime Laboratory for forensic examination.
Fajardo added the HPG has provided assistance to the orphaned family of Maceren whom he described as an “exceptional police officer” worthy of emulation by all police personnel.
Maceren will be accorded appropriate funeral honors befitting a fallen hero, Fajardo said.