Big-time drug pusher shot dead in Leyte buy-bust


TACLOBAN CITY – A suspected big-time drug pusher was killed in a buy-bust operation on Wednesday, Feb. 15, in Sitio Guinputngan, Barangay Pitogo, Barugo, Leyte.

The suspect was identified as Felicisimo Atienza Jr. of Barangay Cuta, Barugo. Atienza was a high-value individual (HVI) of the Police Regional Office 8 (Eastern Visayas) and in the list of HVIs of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 8 on the national level.

Atienza drew a gun and fired at apprehending policemen after he sold suspected shabu worth P20,000 to a poseur-buyer.

He ran to his house but lawmen retaliated and hit him. Atienza was taken to the Carigara District Hospital in Carigara, Leyte where he was declared dead.

Forensic investigators recovered three caliber .45 pistols, loaded magazines, fired cartridges, 10 more sachets of suspected shabu, and other non-drug evidence from the suspect. Seized shabu had a total weight of 150 grams and valued at P1.02 million.

Documentation and inventory of evidence were conducted in the place of arrest before they were turned over to the local police.