Labi ng pulis na napatay ng nanlabang drug suspect sa operasyon sa San Miguel, Maynila, inilagak sa MPD HQ @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/ZSVXtkt3rM

— Zhander Cayabyab (@zhandercayabyab) May 21, 2017

MANILA - The remains of a policeman who was killed during an anti-illegal drugs operation in San Miguel, Manila now lie in state at the headquarters of the Manila Police District (MPD).

SPO1 Randy Lebrilla of the MPD Drug Enforcement Team died after drug suspect Codeng "Berdugo" Macabato returned fire at the police.

Macabato was also killed in the incident, while another cop was wounded after also being shot by the suspect.

Supt. Olivia Sagaysay, station commander of the MPD in Sta. Mesa, said the killing of their fellow police officer proves that suspects sometimes fight back.

"Sana nga po ma-recognize din ng ating mga mamamayan 'yung totoo pong nangyayari sa mga police operations," she said.

(We hope people will recognize what really happens during police operations.)

Sagaysay said drug suspects sometimes have more powerful guns, and are also skilled shooters.

"Ito po ay kongkretong example na ang amin pong mga kalaban ay may pagkakataong mas malakas ang kanilang mga baril," she said.

"Nakita rin po namin kung gaano kabihasa sa baril 'yung nakalaban po nila. Parehas pong sa puso ang tama," she added.

(This is a concrete example that there are times when our enemies have bigger guns than us. We also found out that the suspect was a very good shooter. He shot our fellow cop at the heart.)

Sagaysay said they will transfer the body of Lebrilla to his hometown in Sultan Kudarat province on Wednesday as his family requested. The body will be transferred via a C-130 plane, she said.
--Report by Zhander Cayabyab‏, ABS-CBN News