Two members of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) sustained injuries after being attacked during an operation at Greenhills Shopping Center on Sunday afternoon, RH Edniel Parrosa reported.
According to San Juan City Police Chief PCOL Deodennis Marmol, the incident is related to a viral video circulating on social media showing a white van surrounded by several men in the shopping mall's parking area.
In an interview with DZRH News, Marmol explained that the ACG operatives were conducting an entrapment operation targeting a suspect involved in a sextortion case. The operation initially went as planned, but as the operatives attempted to handcuff the suspect, a group of men approached and began assaulting the officers.
One ACG personnel was reportedly struck in the side, while another sustained facial injuries. Amid the chaos, the suspect managed to escape into the mall and has yet to be located as of this writing.
Chief Marmol confirmed that the San Juan City Police and PNP-ACG are set to meet with representatives of Ortigas Security and members of the Muslim community to coordinate efforts to locate the suspect and identify those responsible for attacking the officers.
"Sa ngayon po, meron po tayong positively identified, pero napaka-limited po kasi ng mga video na nakukuha namin kaya medyo nahihirapan po kami mag-identify pa ng ibang involved," Marmol said.
"Nakikipag-ugnayan na kami sa Ortigas para ma-identify pa natin yung mga ibang involved, kasama na rin po yung mga maaaring tumulong doon sa suspek na makapagtago at makatakas," he furthered.
