Anti-narcotics operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) killed two suspected big-time drug pushers and seized almost P150 million worth of shabu in a buy-bust that led to an alleged shootout in Pasig City on Sunday night, May 9.
Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the operation was a proof that the anti-drugs campaign remain relentless despite the focus of the government on the response against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
He identified one of the slain suspects as Arthur Abdul. The other is still unidentified.
"The suspects are known distributors of Michael Lucas Abdul who was arrested in a drug buy bust at Dasmariñas City, Cavite last April 26, 2021," said Eleazar who visited the encounter site on Sunday night.
"They get their supply of illegal drugs from a Muslim known as alias Bating who is connected to a certain Chinese National. They are both well known drug proliferator in Region 3, NCR, Region 4A and other nearby province," he added.
Brig. Gen. Remus Medina, director of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, said they conducted the operation after one of their assets was able to negotiate for the purchase of a big quantity of shabu. The agreed meeting place was in Kalawaan, Pasig City on Sunday night.
The shootout erupted at around 9 a.m. as the suspects tried to escape after the police announced the arrest.
Medina said they were able to confiscate some 22 kilos of shabu worth P149.6 million, a sedan and two handguns.