BOCAUE, Bulacan – Authorities have arrested one suspect while another remains at large following a fatal buy-bust operation in Sitio Tugatog, Barangay Tambubong, Bocaue, on March 8.

The operation targeting illegal firearms and ammunition led to a shootout that claimed the lives of two police officers

The slain officers were identified as PSSG Dennis Cudiamat and PSSG Gian George dela Cruz, both intelligence operatives from the Bocaue Municipal Police Station. Cudiamat died on the spot from a gunshot wound to the head, while dela Cruz was rushed to Dr. Yanga Hospital in Barangay Poblacion but was later pronounced dead at 3:20 p.m.

Authorities arrested a suspect in a hot-pursuit operation, identified only as alias “Dado,” a 38-year-old resident of Barangay Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulacan. His accomplice, alias “Athan,” managed to escape after engaging in a shootout, seizing the fallen officers’ firearms, and fleeing. A police manhunt is underway to track him down.

Recovered from the crime scene were a caliber .45 Para Ordnance pistol with a possibly tampered serial number, a caliber .38 revolver without a serial number, a hand grenade, a Rusi 125 motorcycle with a sidecar, and marked money used in the buy-bust. Investigators later found a Honda Beat motorcycle in Barangay Bunsuran 2nd, believed to have been used by the fugitive.

The suspects now face multiple criminal charges, including double murder, violations of R.A. 10591, R.A. 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives), and offenses under the Omnibus Election Code.

The Bulacan Police Provincial Office has condemned the attack and vowed to intensify its manhunt operations. Authorities urge the public to report any information on the whereabouts of alias “Athan.”

📷 Police Regional Office 3