A Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent was injured in a firefight with two drug dealers in Calamba City in Laguna last Sunday night.
The suspects, one of them identified only as Mark, managed to escape and are now the subject of a manhunt operation, PDEA said in a statement last Monday night.
PDEA and PNP personnel conducted a buy-bust operation at the open parking lot of a mall in Barangay Real in Calamba City at 9:15 p.m. against the two “heavily-armed drug suspects.”
It said the suspects sensed they were dealing with authorities and sped off aboard their car while firing at PDEA and PNP operatives.
“A shootout ensued, but the suspects were able to evade arrest. Unfortunately, a PDEA agent sustained a gunshot wound to the head,” PDEA said.
The agent was brought to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“It is a harsh reality that every time PDEA agents go out for an operation, they are putting their lives and limbs on the line to apprehend armed and dangerous drug traffickers,” said PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez.
“It is a risk they have to take in the performance of duty,” added Nerez.
Nerez commended the injured PDEA agent, saying the latter “showed remarkable courage under fire.”
Nerez said PDEA will provide the agent with the best medical care and assistance for his full recovery.
“The agency assures him that his welfare remains a priority and he is not alone in his recovery,” said Nerez.
As to the suspects, Nerez said: “PDEA will chase you down. There is no way you can outrun the long arm of the law.”
