ORMOC CITY– A buy-bust operation turned violent in the early hours of Tuesday, Nov. 25, after a suspected drug pusher opened fire on operatives, wounding a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent before fleeing the scene.
The shootout happened around 12:10 a.m. in Brgy. III Poblacion, when the target of the sting — identified only as “Leo,” 45, jobless, and a resident of the same barangay — realized he was transacting with authorities. The suspect is listed as a street value individual in the local drug watchlist and remains at large.
According to a police report, the poseur-buyer was able to purchase a sachet of suspected shabu worth P500 from the suspect. However, upon receiving the pre-arranged arrest signal, the suspect noticed incoming operatives, pulled out a firearm of unknown caliber, and fired twice, hitting a PDEA agent in the left leg.
The suspect then escaped toward a dimly lit portion of the area.
The wounded PDEA personnel was rushed to Saint Paul’s Hospital in Tacloban City and is now receiving medical treatment.
Recovered from the buy-bust scene was one heat-sealed sachet of suspected shabu, which was immediately marked and inventoried on-site in the presence of required witnesses.
A criminal complaint for violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and frustrated homicide has already been filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the fugitive suspect.
Authorities said a follow-up operation is underway to track down the assailant.
(ROBERT DEJON)
