By Bonita Ermac
ILIGAN CITY – A drug suspect died when he resisted arrest in a buy bust operation by engaging authorities in a shootout in purok 6, Panguil, Lanipao, Lala in Lanao del Norte last Tuesday, January 14.
Police Major Jonan B. Banas, chief of the Lala Municipal Police Station (Lala MPS), with personnel from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), identified the suspect as Abdul Javir Abubakar, 34, and a resident of Purok 4, Barangay Poblacion, Kolambugan town. He was in the authorities’ watchlist.
During the operation, the suspect reportedly resisted arrest when he sensed he was transacting with a police officer acting as a poseur buyer.
According to Banas, Abubakar fired at arresting officers.
A back-up officer was shot by the suspect in the chest. It was fortunate that the law enforcer had a bullet proof vest on.
But this prompted the other arresting officer to neutralize the suspect using his service pistol.
Abubakar was then brought to Kapatagan Provincial Hospital for immediate treatment but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Recovered from the crime scene were the suspect’s cal. 38 revolver, and a sachet of shabu.