Jun Torres

Police rookie, informer shot dead in Ecija ‘buy bust’

TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija – a rookie policeman and an informer were shot dead allegedly by a Muslim toughie they were supposed to arrest during a failed drug “buy bust” operation last Monday (April 7) night in Barangay San Pascual, this town.

Talavera town police chief Supt. Arnel Santiago identified the fatalities as PO1 Michael Arellano of 41 Rizal St., Espinona, Pura, Tarlac, and civilian agent Rudy Hidalgo, Sr.

Arellano died of wounds caused by bullets fired from a caliber .45 revolver. He died on the spot.

Hidalgo died on arrival at the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in Cabanatuan City to where he was taken.

Nueva Ecija police director Senior Supt. Napoleon C. Taas identified the suspect as Bernie Mamaid, alias “Big Time.” He is a notorious drug pusher and hired killer, police said.

The police reported that Arellano and Hidalgo were about to arrest the suspect during a drug “buy bust” operation at about 7 Monday night.

Police said Mamaid fired a caliber .45 pistol at the duo, then ran away.

Mamaid’s companion, Edward Castillo, 32, was taken in for questioning.

Taas has ordered an in-depth investigation of the circumstances leading to the shooting incident in which a neophyte police officer was tapped to join a police operation of such serious nature.

Taas had also vowed to get Mamaid for the killing of his policeman, who was the first casualty under his watch in the province.

Taas immediately launched a province-wide hunt for Mamaid.

The shooting incident came three days after the Army and the police had inked a compact to tighten their campaign against all forms of criminality, especially terroristic acts. Magtanggol C. Villar.