AWOL cop killed in Bacolod City ambush

A policeman who had long gone on absence without leave (AWOL) was shot dead in an ambush in Bacolod City, Saturday night.

Police identified the victim as Police Officer 2 Federico Nicolas, who is included in the police's drug list and a former member of the Bacolod City Police Office.

Meanwhile, Police Officer 1 Wilmer Bansag of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, and his 17-year-old son, who were riding with Nicolas in his SUV were hurt in the ambush that took place in Barangay 16.

Police said at least five armed men ambushed Nicolas. He died of several gunshot wounds to the body.

Bansag and his son, meanwhile, sustained one gunshot wound each and are now undergoing emergency treatment at the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center.

Police said two sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia were recovered from Nicolas.

The Bacolod City police said Nicolas was included in their list of high-value targets.

Police are looking at Nicolas' transactions with a drug group as a possible motive behind the ambush.

Meanwhile, investigators said they are investigating Bansag's connection to Nicolas. —report from Erwin Nicavera/ALG/KVD, GMA News