DAVAO CITY -- An employee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was killed during a buy-bust operation on MacArthur Highway, Bangkal, here Wednesday.
The suspect was identified Ronel T. Revilla, forest ranger of DENR assigned in Mati City, Davao Oriental and a resident of Toril District here.
Initial report of the Talomo Police Station led by its commander Police Major Sean Logronio bared their Drug Enforcement Unit launched a buy-bust operation against Revilla near Mabini Elementary School around 3 p.m.
The suspect sold a sachet of suspected shabu worth P1, 000 to police poseur-buyer.
Revilla sensed that he was dealing with a police officer and immediately pulled his gun and fired upon the arresting officer, prompting the cops to retaliate.
The suspect was taken to the Davao Adventist Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival at around 4:03 p.m.
Recovered from the crime scene were 15 big and medium sized-sachets of shabu, marijuana seeds and other drug paraphernalia, a caliber .45 pistol, and P28,300 cash.
Confiscated illegal drugs weighing 90 grams have an estimated street value of P890,000.
Logronio said the operation stemmed from a month-long case buildup, surveillance, and background investigation of the suspect and his involvement in illegal drug operations.
The station commander lauded the operatives for their efficiency, good intelligence work, and tremendous courage in dealing with armed drug suspect.
"In our line of work, we always expect armed encounters such as during buy-bust and other related operations. Yes, it is scary. You can imagine what goes through the mind of a police officer seeing your suspect armed. Good thing these men heightened their sense of alertness, their training and they were able to retaliate fast," he said.
Logronio said that even as the country is facing this health crisis, the PNP will remain relentless and spares no one in the battle against illegal drugs.
"We will continue to be in the frontline of ensuring public safety. Rest assured that our investigation will not stop here. We are now on the process of running after his cohorts and sources. We will show them no mercy," he said.