PNP non-uniformed personnel killed in alleged buy-bust operation

Police in Misamis Occidental killed on Monday one of their own non-uniformed personnel (NUP) who they alleged to be financing drug pushers.

A report by Emil Sumangil on 24 Oras said Remy Gumapac Jr. alias Waway was designated as Administrative Assistant 3 at the Baliangao Municipial Police Station.

But based on police documents, Gumapac was also the number three in the second level of high value targets listed in the "provincial target priority."

The report said Gumapac was killed last October 13 after an armed encounter with police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency operatives in a buy-bust operation at Barangay Southern Poblacion.

Authorities recovered several sachets of suspected shabu, money, one caliber .38 firearm and another caliber. 45 pistol.

Meanwhile, Gumapac's wife, Maychelle, went to Manila to seek the help of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the death of Gumapac.

Maychelle said he husband would not have worked as an NUP if he was indeed a drug financier.

"Kung high value [target] ang asawa ko, hindi na po yan mag-eNUP, konti lang po ang sweldo ng NUP, magtitinda na lang siguro kami ng drugs," Maychelle said.

The report said Maychelle presented the "after [Scene of the Crime Operatives] report" saying Gumapac tested negative in gun powder nitrates.

However, SOCO director Senior Superintendent Emmanuel Aranas said suspects tend to be negative from gun powder nitrates and in the paraffin test depending on bullets and firearm used.

VACC chairman Dante Jimenez said Gumapac's case appeared confusing in determining the motive of the killing.

"Parang lugaw na eh. Halo halo na, hindi mo na masabi kung ordinary operations ng pulis, or isang extrajudicial killing, or salvaging or ibang klaseng motive," Jimenez said.

Maychelle added Gumapac still called her and said the names of certain policemen as the raiding team rams their home's door.

"'Gah, tulungan niyo kami, pinapasok kami, narito sina (names of policemen). Tapos parang may putok na po, tapos na-off na, naputol na po yung communication," Maychelle said.

The Misamis Occidental Police Provincial Office has yet to issue a statement on the case when reached by GMA News. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/NB, GMA News