TAYUM, Abra – A 38-year old drug suspect died after he was shot to death by police operatives and intelligence agents during an alleged encounter in his residence at sitio San Vicente, barangay Bagalay, here, recently.
Police authorities identified the fatality as Darwin Talape Balmaceda, 38, married, unemployed and a resident of Sitio San Vicente barangay Bagalay Tayum Abra.
Initial police investigation showed concerned police operatives and intelligence agents were about to implement the search warrant issued by Judge Rafael Alzate of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 58 in Bucay for violation of the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2022 when they were fired upon by the supposed subject of the search warrant.
The combined police personnel and intelligence agents fired at him several times hitting him on the different parts of his body and was immediately rushed to the Abra Provincial Hospital for medical treatment but he expired several hours later while being provided with medical attention due to multiple gunshot wounds on the different parts of his body.
By Dexter A. See