Drug suspect killed in shootout with cops

CEBU, Philippines — A suspected illegal drug distributor from Western Visayas has died after shooting it out with the authorities during a buy-bust operation around midnight of Sunday in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City

Elements of Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU)-7 who conducted the operation identified the slain suspect as certain “Kempoy” whose name was in the top 10 regional high value individuals and a resident of Sitio Sosco, Banawa Hills, Brgy. Guadalupe, Cebu City.

Investigation revealed that his mode of transaction was through a pumpboat where he was intercepted from during the operation.

Police Major Glen Hife, RDEU-7 chief, said Kempoy could dispose up to a kilo in just a week.

During the operation, at least 250 grams of suspected shabu were seized from his possession with estimated value of P1.7 million.

Aside from this, a .45 caliber firearm was also recovered from him, which the police suspected it was used during the armed confrontation.

"Dako ni nga operation kay kining atong subject is a suspected bodegero, in fact dili ni sya taga Cebu, taga lain ni siya nga lugar gawas sa atong region," said Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 regional director Levi Ortiz.

Ortiz, however, refused to divulge further details pending the investigation on tracing the possible network of the suspect.

According to Hife, they have closed the buy-bust transaction at around 10:30 p.m. wherein they immediately positioned themselves in Barangay Mambaling.

"Naabot mi diring dapit kay iyahang mode of transportation kay nisakay ni sya og baruto, gihatud ni siya baruto diri kay di man siya kaagi didto kay naa may security guard," said Hife.

However, in the middle of the operation, Kempoy allegedly fired first to the authorities that resulted in a shootout which eventually resulted into his death.

"So pag-abot gyud niya, nag-transact na siya sa among poseur buyer, nakuha gyud namo siya, nya nisukol man sya,” said Hife.

Hife also said that they do not have the idea where he was staying in Cebu City prior to the operation since their transaction is through cellular phone communication.

As further actions, Ortiz said they will be coordinating with their counterpart in Region 6 to gather more information on the suspect's background.

"Kay murag dako-dako ni sya nga grupo, the fact nga bodegero ni sya nya sa gisulti ni Major Hife ganina, dako-dako unta atong makuha ani pero na disposed na niya,” said Ortiz.

Meanwhile, at least a hundred grams worth of illegal drugs were seized from an arrested suspect in another buy-bust operation conducted in Sitio San Roque, Tagunol, Brgy. Basak-San Nicolas, Cebu City last Saturday.

Members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEG)-7 identified the suspect as certain Edren John Consing Maglasang, a resident of the said area where the operation was also conducted. — GMR (FREEMAN)