By Analou De Vera
An alleged drug pusher was shot dead after he reportedly initiated a gunfight with the policemen during a buy-bust operation in Tondo, Manila Friday night.
(PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Supt. Jay Dimaandal, Raxabago-Tondo Police Station chief, identified the fatality as Kenneth Dela Cruz, 31, a member of the notorious Batang City Jail gang, while his 30-year-old live-in partner, Jocelyn Fernandez was arrested by the police.
Initial investigation showed that the elements of the Raxabago-Tondo Police Station launched a drug sting against Dela Cruz inside his makeshift shanty on Bonggavilla Street, Happy Land in Barangay 105 around 10:30 p.m.
Dela Cruz reportedly sold P500 worth of shabu to the police poseur buyer. Few minutes later, Dela Cruz sensed that he was dealing with an undercover police officer, prompting him to run and arm himself with an improvised shotgun.
Dela Cruz then fired shots toward the pursuing lawmen, prompting the latter to retaliate and fatally hit Dela Cruz in the body.
According to the police, they recovered in the operation six sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P3,000; a loaded improvised shotgun; a caliber 9mm revolver, a knife; and a disposable lighter.
Dimaandal, meanwhile, said Fernandez is now detained at their station’s custodial facility and is facing drug-related charges.
Prior to the incident, the same police station arrested eight individuals after they were allegedly caught sniffing shabu substance inside a house on Road-10, Barangay 101.
The police raided the house of a certain Jerry Arufo with the strength of a search warrant released by the local court. Police were able to recover several sachets of illegal drugs and paraphernalia. The suspects were immediately brought to the police station.