ORMOC CITY— A high-value drug suspect was killed in a shootout with police during a buy-bust operation Thursday night in Barangay Rawis, Calbayog City.
The entrapment operation, conducted at around 9:55 p.m. on January 15, targeted alias “Ron-ron,” a known high-value individual (HVI) involved in illegal drugs and firearms. Police said the suspect, a resident of Barangay Looc, opened fire on the poseur buyer and arresting officer during the handover of P15,000 in buy-bust money.
Authorities said the money included one genuine P500 bill subscribed by the court and P14,500 in boodle money. The suspect reportedly sensed the operation and fired a short firearm of unknown caliber, prompting police to return fire. The suspect was hit multiple times and was immediately brought by CDRRMO rescue to Calbayog District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival at around 10:20 p.m. by Dr. Shiella Silagan.
Items recovered included two live 9mm rounds, one live .45 caliber round, ten fired 9mm cartridges, and a loaded Colt .45 pistol.
A body search at the hospital also recovered the full buy-bust amount and eight sachets of suspected shabu weighing about one gram, with an estimated value of P6,800.
The evidence is now in the custody of the Calbayog City Satellite Forensic Office pending turnover to the Forensic Unit. Paraffin tests were conducted on the suspect’s hands at a local funeral parlor.
Police said the operation was documented using two recording devices, and the area was secured by the remaining team pending investigation.
(ROBERT DEJON)
