Du30 visits wake of cop killed in anti-drug op

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on early Wednesday morning visited the wake of the cop killed in a drug bust operation in Pasig City.

Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, PNP chief, accompanied Duterte to the wake of Police Officer 3 Wilfredo Gueta, who was killed in an antiillegal drug operation in Pasig City on December 18.

"I'm here to show to the people that I am really angry at drugs, that if you don't stop [peddling, using], you will really die," Duterte told reporters in a mix of English and Filipino.

Gueta was one of the policemen pursuing suspected drug pusher Roberto Llaguno. The latter's name is listed on the drug watch list of Pasig City.

According to the police, there are more than 6,000 drug-related deaths in the country, but human rights groups put the deaths at more than 13,000.

On Monday, the police conducted an operation to verify Llaguno's involvement in drugs. A shootout ensued between Llaguno and responding policemen.

Gueta was shot in the chest, while his fellow cop, PO1 Raymond dela Cruz sustained a gunshot wound in his left leg.

Gueta was taken to the Rizal Medical Center but was pronounced dead at 2:50 p.m.

Llaguno was also killed in the operation. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the RMC.

Duterte said that he has talked with Gueta's family and expressed his condolences.

The December 9 #RealNumbersPH infographic released by the Presidential Communications Operations Office tallies 86 security personnel killed in drug operations from July 1, 2016 to Nov. 27, 2017. This contrasts with Duterte's repeated claim that he loses a cop or two daily in his brutal drug war.