By: Jennifer P. Rendon
A POLICE OFFICER was shot while serving a search warrant early morning of June 15, 2019 at Ajuy, Iloilo.
Police Patrolman Herbert Felera, a member of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Provincial Special Operations Group (IPPO-PSOG), was wounded on his right arm and right upper portion of his body.
Police Major John Van Luspo, Ajuy police chief, said Felera is in stable condition after undergoing surgery.
Felera is scheduled to undergo another surgery today, June 17, on his upper arm.
Luspo said the police team was to serve a search warrant against Rodel Baja, 34, of Barangay Adcadarao, Ajuy for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
“We wanted to do the search as peacefully as we could. When we arrived, he was at the window side,” he said.
The subject allegedly told them to, insinuating that he will open the front door.
But instead of opening the door, policemen heard gunfire and later saw Felera getting hit.
Baja immediately fled but was arrested 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Luspo said.
A family member informed policemen that he was at Barangay Poblacion, Ajuy and was ready to yield.
The suspect told Luspo he fired at Felera out of fear.
He claimed to have received numerous reports of persons doing surveillance work around their home.
The operation against Baja happened after he became a person of interest in a murder case in Ajuy last year.
Luspo said they then learned that Baja was keeping unlicensed firearm, thus the raid.
A firearm was recovered at Baja’s house following the raid.
The suspect is now detained and will be charged for violation of RA 10591 and frustrated homicide.
