Drug suspect killed in shootout

CEBU, Philippines — A high-value individual died after allegedly shooting it out with the police in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Cogon, Cordova, Cebu yesterday dawn.

The police have identified the illegal drug suspect as certain Edmar Mahinay, a resident of Tipolo Mandaue City, Cebu listed as high value individual in provincial level data base.

Elements of the Provincial Intelligence Unit in coordination with Cordova Municipal Police Station conducted the operation against the suspect.

However, when Mahinay allegedly noticed that he was dealing with PNP personnel, he then drew his firearm and shot the police. This prompted the police to fire back.

Mahinay suffered a gunshot wound and received treatment from a response team but he was declared dead at around 2:35 a.m.

Pieces of evidence recovered from the suspect include one medium size heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu.

While recovered pieces of evidence during the crime scene processing three medium size heat sealed transparent plastic sachets, eight pieces of small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, one unit pistol caliber of colt .45 with inserted magazine loaded with five live ammunition, one fired cartridge case for caliber .45 and three fired Cartridge cases for caliber 9mm.

Also recovered from the suspect were 15 grams of illegal drugs with an estimated value of P102,000. —JMD (FREEMAN)