MANILA — A member of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) who was investigating the illegal drug trade and gunrunning in Batangas was shot dead in his hometown Lemery before noon last Saturday (November 12).

Reports identified Police officer 3 Noel Villalobos, 41 as the casualty. According to Chief Inspector Jay Agcaoili, CIDG-Batangas chief, Villalobos was shot seven times including a gunshot into his heart.

The police said the victim was at an auto shop in Barangay Lucky at around 11 a.m. when he was shot several times by a lone gunman, who stood only about five meters away.

The gunman and another man, believed to be a lookout, escaped on foot.

It was also in Lemery where Batangas police intelligence Chief Supt. Rodney Ramirez was gunned down this year.

Such brazen attack against the country’s law enforcement is always a cause for concern. All the angles must be pursued to bring justice to the crimes and, more significantly, answers to many questions.

Usually, such attacks on police are indicative of much deeper issues in the community. Perhaps, it has something to do with local police problems such as drug, gambling or crime syndicates.