Undercover anti-drug cop killed in Cebu City buy-bust
CEBU CITY – A policeman was killed when a drug suspect who he tried to arrest fought back during a buybust operation in Barangay Kinasangan here past midnight Wednesday, November 15.
Police Staff Sgt. Ryan Languido Baculi, an operative of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, succumbed to multiple bullet wounds.
“Today (Wednesday), the Police Regional Office-central Visayas (PRO7) woke up to sad news that one of our personnel was killed while performing his duty. A bemedalled police officer, father of five children paid the ultimate sacrifice of being a law enforcer. We condemn the killing of our police officer who was performing his job,” said Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of PRO-7 chief Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin.
Aberin has already ordered the conduct of a manhunt operation against the suspects identified as Atong Rafols and Ramil Salazar.
Pelare said Baculi was designated as the poseur-buyer when they transacted with the suspects.
As Rafols was about to approach them, the suspects sensed that they were transacting with a policeman.
Rafols drew a gun and repeatedly shot Baculi.
Baculi’s colleagues observing from afar were able to retaliate and hit Rafols in the arm. Rafols and Salazar were able to escape.
Pelare said Rafols is a former inmate who has standing arrest warrants for murder and frustrated charges.
“He was previously jailed and was used as a hitman by drug syndicates. He was tasked to liquidate those who failed to remit proceeds of illegal drugs,” said Pelare.
Pelare cited reports that a barangay tanod allowed the fleeing two drug suspects to board a barangayowned vehicle and brought them to the house of Rafols. The tanod reportedly claimed that he was unaware that the two men had figured in a shootout with police.
Pelare added that the PRO-7 will also check if there is a need to revisit police operational procedures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
“Of course, we will check if there was a deviation from the normal police operational procedures but that will come later. Our focus now is on the manhunt operation and on the family of the slain policeman.
We will make sure those left behind by the slain policeman will be taken care of,” said Pelare.
Baculi joined the Philippine National Police in 2014.
He was assigned to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) from 2014 to 2016 and had stints at the Cebu City Mobile Force Company and CCPO Police Station 7.
Baculi was transferred to the RPDEU in 2021 and among the awards that he received were the Medalya ng Papuri, Medalya ng Kagalingan, Medalya ng Paglaban sa Manliligalig, and Medalya ng Paglilingkod sa Visayas.