PDEA COP DIES IN GUN DUEL

A ROOKIE policeman was killed Tuesday night in a gun duel with a
fellow cop detailed with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in
Mabini, Batangas.

Police reports said the protagonists and several other PDEA
colleagues were having a drinking session at the house of one Ariel
Villanueva at Barangay Sto. Tomas when they were drawn into a heated
argument.

The two pulled out their guns and shot each other.

PO1 Joel Cosme died on the spot while the woundedPO1 Nelson Mariano,
who tried to escape, was arrested by the Mabini police.

Batangas police chief Sr. Supt. Francisco Don Montenegro said they
were still taking down the statements of the other policemen who
witnessed the gun duel.

Police Regional Office 4-A director Chief Supt. Jesus A. Verzosa also
ordered an investigation into reports that several local police
officers, who were on duty, participated in the drinking session, a
big no-no in the police organization.