2 ‘drug pushers’ resist arrest, killed

CEBU, Philippines — An alleged notorious drug pusher was killed in a police operation at Sitio Sta. Cruz, Barangay Mohon, Talisay City yesterday dawn.

The police identified the suspect as Eric Ruiz alyas Budlong, 28, single and a resident of the place.

Talisay City Police Station Deputy Chief Ardeolito Cabagnot said they were armed with a search warrant that Judge Jacinto Fajardo Jr. of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 66 had issued when they went to serve it.

Ruiz is reportedly on their list as a high-value target in the illegal drug trade.

The operatives allegedly asked Ruiz to submit himself, but the latter fired at them. A short exchange of fire ensued, until Ruiz was hit and neutralized.

Ruiz sustained several gunshot wounds to different parts of his body which caused his instantaneous death.

Members of the Scene of the Crime Operations 11, who processed the crime scene, recovered one revolver with one empty shell, two misfired and three live ammunition inside its cylinder believed to be owned by Ruiz.

Another revolver, one empty shell and slug of unknown firearm were recovered near Ruiz body with one large pack of suspected shabu.

Cabagnot said they received so many complaints against Ruiz about his alleged illegal drug activity.

He added that another subject of their operation managed to elude arrest after he heard the firefight coming from Ruiz’s house.

Killed in Cebu City

Meanwhile, another 35-yer-old man, who is allegedly considered a high-value target, was killed after allegedly resisting the implementation of a search warrant against him last Friday night at Sitio Sip-ak, Barangay Sudlon 1, Cebu City.

The police identified the subject as Edcel Baculi, married and a resident of the place.

Regional Trial Court Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras issued the search warrant last March 27 for violation of Republic Act 10591.

During the implementation of the search warrant, the police had sensed that the subject has no plans of giving himself up and even fired at them.  The police fired back and hit the suspect.

The suspect was brought to the Cebu City Medical Center, but was declared dead on arrival at around 1:30 a.m. yesterday.

Members of the Scene of the Crime Operations recovered a rifle with a silencer, a 1911 cal .45 colt pistol and a magazine with five bullets, fired cartridge, and five sachets of suspected shabu. —Rowena D Capistrano/GAN (FREEMAN)