13/05/2026
PNP MOURNS FALLEN COP IN NEGROS OCCIDENTAL ANTI-DRUG OPERATION
The Philippine National Police, under the leadership of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., expresses deep sorrow over the death of a police non-commissioned officer and the injury of two other personnel following a violent encounter during a buy-bust operation conducted on the evening of May 11, 2026 in Barangay Talaptap, La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
Personnel of the Station Drug Enforcement Team of La Castellana Municipal Police Station conducted an anti-illegal drug operation against a 41-year-old male street-level drug suspect. During the arrest, the suspect violently resisted and suddenly attacked the operating personnel using a bladed weapon. In a further escalation, the suspect’s 68-year-old mother allegedly joined the assault and assaulted the responding officers using bladed weapons.
The encounter resulted in the death of one police non-commissioned officer due to fatal stab wounds sustained during the attack. A deputy police officer sustained multiple stab wounds and is currently confined in stable condition at a hospital in Bacolod City, while another operative suffered minor injuries. The suspect sustained injuries and is now under police custody at a local health facility, while the female co-accused is likewise under police custody pending the filing of appropriate criminal charges.
Recovered from the operation were several sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated street drug value of ₱47,600.00, along with buy-bust money, drug paraphernalia, and bladed weapons believed to have been used during the confrontation. The crime scene was immediately secured, while forensic personnel from the Negros Island Region conducted proper processing and documentation. Investigation and preparation of charges are ongoing.
“This incident underscores the grave risks our personnel face in the performance of their duty. We honor the bravery and sacrifice of our fallen officer who gave his life in the service of the Filipino people,” said PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.
“Hindi matitinag ang PNP sa pagtupad ng aming tungkulin laban sa ilegal na droga at karahasan. Sisiguraduhin naming makakamit ang hustisya para sa ating nasawing kapulisan,” dagdag pa ni PGEN Nartatez.
The incident also underscores the operational risks faced by personnel conducting anti-illegal drug operations.
“Patuloy ang aming paninindigan na protektahan ang komunidad sa kabila ng panganib na kinakaharap ng aming hanay. Sa kabila ng trahedyang ito, mananatiling matatag ang PNP sa pagsugpo sa ilegal na droga at krimen,” PGEN Nartatez stated.
As the PNP sustains its intensified operations against illegal drugs under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the organization continues to assure the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)