Drug ‘pusher’ killed in police shootout

CEBU, Philippines — A suspected drug pusher was killed in a “shootout” with the police in Barangay Liki, Sogod town, Cebu Friday morning.

Henry “Ilaga” Hortezano, 39, succumbed to a gunshot wound to his hip. The bullet reportedly pierced through Hortezano’s kidney resulting in his instantaneous death.

Police Senior Inspector William Humoc, chief of Sogod Police Station, said Hortezano drew his .38 caliber firearm and shot twice an undercover agent after noticing police presence.

But the policeman reportedly managed to avoid getting hit.

The backup policemen retaliated and hit Hortezano.

“Maayo nalang gani kay dali nga nakalihay dayun pahipi sa kahoy ang akong tawo. Dili man sad ko mosugot nga ang akong tawo maoy maigo,” Humoc told The FREEMAN in a phone interview.

Hortezano was rushed to the hospital but did not make it there alive.

Operatives recovered the suspect’s firearm loaded with two live ammunition and two empty shells from the crime scene. Also found were six small packs of shabu and one medium pack of dried marijuana leaves.

Humoc said Hortezano was trading drugs as far as the municipalities of Tabogon and Borbon in northern Cebu.

The suspect was placed under surveillance, but was “very elusive” to authorities.

“Style ani niya kay tagak-tagak, niya on and off sad ang iyang pagpamaligya maong maglisod mi og timing. Kadaghanan ani niya kay sa mga pista-pista ni siya mamaligya,” Humoc said.

Aside from being a drug pusher, Humoc said, the suspect was also a notorious robber in the locality.

In a separate anti-illegal drug operation, over P73,000 worth of shubu was seized from Brian Engaling Segarra, 36, in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning.

Mactan police recovered ten small and one medium packs of shabu, a .38 caliber revolver, a coin purse from the suspect, a newly-identified drug personality.

Segarra is set to face cases for illegal drugs and possession of firearms. — Ermida Q. Moradas/KBQ (FREEMAN)