Cops slain in Commonwealth shootout were bemedalled officers

The two policemen who died in the shootout between the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Wednesday are a big loss to the police organization, according to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday.

Police Corporals Elvin Garado and Lauro de Guzman, Jr. suffered multiple gunshot wounds following the incident at a mall along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday evening.

An autopsy will be performed on their remains.

The PNP mourned the death of the two police officers. Garado, 36, was assigned to the Quezon City Police Department in 2015. He was assigned to the District Special Operation Unit of the QCPD in December 2020.

In his career he received many awards, among them the PNP Commendation Medal, the Efficiency Medal, the Heroism Medal, the Police Relations Medal and the PNP Service Medal.

Meanwhile, 32-year-old de Guzman was awarded the PNP Commendation Medal, Efficiency Medal, Police Relations Medal, Heroism Medal, Medal of Merit and the Service Medal during his service.

He was assigned to the QCPD in 2016 and was transferred to the DSOU in December 2020.

At least four individuals were killed in the shootout between police and narcotics agents on Wednesday evening.

A joint PNP-PDEA board of inquiry was established to investigate the incident.

Both agencies said that criminal and administrative charges will be filed against those who will be found liable for the shootout.

Earlier, PNP spokesman Police Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana said the incident would in no way affect the operational relationship between the two agencies. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News