A Nigerian was killed by anti-narcotics operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during a drug buy-bust operation inside a budget hotel in Pasig City on Monday.
PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas said the operation also resulted in the confiscation of some two kilos of shabu which was supposed to be bought by a poseur buyer from the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).
He identified the slain Nigerian as Emmanuel Christopher Chukwuma, reportedly a member of the West African Syndicate (WADS) responsible for the proliferation of shabu and cocaine in the country.
The WADS is believed to be responsible for the arrest of several Filipinos whom the syndicate would turn into drug mules, or to sneak shabu and cocaine into and outside the country.
Sinas said the operation against Chukwuma stemmed from the two successful operations last year when Nigerian Kingsley Iwumune was arrested in Las Pinas City and another Nigerian identified as Gabriel Onyechefula was killed in a buy-bust in Tarlac.
Chukwuma, according to Sinas, was able to flee during the operation in Tarlac.
PDEG operatives were able to negotiate with Chukwuma to buy a large quantity of shabu. The meeting place was a budget hotel in Bagong Ilog Pasig City late Monday afternoon. The buy-bust, however, turned into a shootout.
The estimated worth of shabu seized from Chukwuma is P13.6 million. Also seized from the Nigerian was a 9mm pistol.