ILOILO City – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has formed a special investigation task group (SITG) to look into the killing of Police Corporal Felfranz Lumahang during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Abilay, Oton, Iloilo.
Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo provincial police director, ordered the creation of the task group after a command conference with Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, Police Regional Office 6 director.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Nerito Lobrido was tasked to lead the group.
“Conduct a thorough and speedy investigation,” said Gorero.
Lumahang, 32, was a member of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s Drug Enforcement Unit.
He was posing as a buyer of illegal drugs in an entrapment operation in Barangay Abilay, Oton, Iloilo when he was gunned down around 3:20 p.m. on Nov. 28.
The pusher sensed he was transacting with a police and peppered Lumahang with bullets.
He then fled onboard a motorcycle of a companion who served as lookout.
For his part, Miranda reminded his policemen not to be complacent, especially in conducting drug operations and arresting wanted persons.
“Hindi tayo dapat maging kampante. Hindi natin alam kalaban na pa sila,” Miranda said.
Gorero earlier disclosed there were two persons of interest in the killing of Lumahang. But he did not name names so as not preempt their investigation. He only said manhunt operations against the suspects were ongoing.
“We are hoping for their arrest, and justice for the police officer,” Gorero said./PN
