Drug runner killed for "not paying supplier"

CEBU, Philippines – A suspected drug runner was shot dead allegedly by his drug supplier after he failed to pay the latter past 1 p.m. on Thursday in Barangay Esperanza, San Francisco town, Camotes Island.

Arnel Formentera, 36, was rushed to the Ricardo Maningo Memorial Hospital but died 20 minutes later.

Before his death though, Formentera reportedly made a testimony identifying Alex Otida, San Francisco's most wanted man, as the person who shot him.

Police Officer 1 Rolie Arenas, desk officer of San Francisco Police Station, said that Formentera met with Otida in a shanty in Barangay Esperanza.

But Otida allegedly shot Formentera after he allegedly failed to pay him his dues.

Formentera managed to run away and met a man along the road, who brought him to the hospital where he told doctors and nurses before he died that Otida shot him.  

Arenas said that the death of Formentera is drug-related.

"Drug related na sir…kung ang ilang mga bata-bata nga dako na’g utang di kabayad ila nalang patyon kaysa magkonsimisyon ang druglord," Arenas said.

The hospital staff recovered five live ammo of .357 caliber revolver and drug paraphernalia from the victim.

Arenas said Otida is the number one drug personality in San Francisco and has a standing warrant of arrest for drug possession.

He and another suspect were allegedly responsible for wounding PO1 Demar Muaña in an anti-illegal drug operation earlier this year. 

San Francisco police are considering filing a criminal charge against Otida using Formentera's last testimony as evidence. —/ATO (FREEMAN)