Drug suspect killed, 2 others fall in buy-busts

CEBU, Philippines - A suspected drug pusher was killed in an encounter with the police Friday in Cordova town while two others were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in Talisay City and San Fernando.

Jeffrey Daan, 38, resident of Barangay San Miguel, was killed after he tried to shoot it out with the operatives of Cordova Police Station during buy-bust operation past 2:30 p.m.

Senior Inspector Jomar Medil, Cordova police chief, said the suspect fired at the undercover operative, prompting the law enforcers to return fire.  Daan sustained several gunshot wounds to the body. He was rushed to Lapu-Lapu City Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police seized P338,000 worth of shabu, four cellphones, cash amounting to P9,360 and a Toyota Rav 4 allegedly used by the suspect in transporting illegal drugs. Also recovered from the crime scene were two caliber .45 pistols and several rounds of ammunition.

In another operation, Jhonreno Obrero, 20, resident of Barangay Tanke, Talisay City, was arrested by the city's police operatives Friday evening. He was allegedly a henchman of suspected drug pusher Josel Cabangca alias Dadin.

Cabangca was the subject of the buy-bust operation but was able to escape from the dragnet.

"Nilugnot man ang target unya niapil sad og tukmod ang nadakpan, nakatakas gyud," said Talisay City Police chief Superintendent Aileen Recla.

At least 70 packs of shabu worth P16,940 were confiscated during the operation. Recla said both Obrero and Cabangca did not surrender in the Oplan Tokhang.

Meanwhile, a former drug surrenderer was arrested during buy-bust operation in Barangay Poblacion, San Fernando last Friday. The suspect was identified as Eugene Cañete, 29, resident of the South Poblacion in the same town.

Police recovered seven packs of shabu and a caliber .45 pistol from the suspect. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud and Iris Mariani B. Algabre (FREEMAN)