Drug surrenderer killed in shootout

CEBU, Philippines – A 34-year-old drug surrenderer was shot dead after he engaged in a shootout with the police Saturday afternoon in Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City.

Manuelito Brecasio Eyas, a resident of Sitio Jansen, Punta Engaño in the same city, who earlier submitted himself to the Oplan Tokhang, succumbed to gunshot wounds in his body.

Eyas reportedly noticed that he was transacting with a police poseur-buyer, prompting him to engage the operatives in a shootout. No one from the responding police was hit.

The suspect sped off but the operatives led by Police Chief Inspector Wayne Magbanua cornered Eyas in a sari-sari store in Sitio Pool around 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22.

The police reportedly fired at Eyas, hitting him in the shoulder after making a scene and taking an unidentified female and a minor hostage.

The suspect continued to point his firearm at the police despite the sustained gunshot wound, prompting a police officer to shoot him in the upper abdomen.

After he was shot, Eyas managed to run few meters before he fell on the ground.

Eyas was declared dead on the spot by the responding Emergency Response Unit Forces (ERUF).

Police were able to recover one caliber .9revolver and four medium-sized plastic sachets of suspected shabu. —/KBQ (FREEMAN)