ILOILO CITY – Police killed a drug pusher in a buy-bust operation in Iloilo City on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) identified the fatality as Jason Opano Espaltero, 32.
Espaltero sensed he was dealing with a poseur-buyer after he sold five big sachets of suspected shabu worth P75,000. He drew a firearm and shot the police officer, prompting his colleague nearby to retaliate.
“It is unfortunate the suspect reacted and fired his gun,” said Col. Joeresty Coronica, ICPO director.
Espaltero was taken to a hospital where he died.
The undercover lawman was wearing a bullet-proof vest that saved his life.
Espaltero had been under surveillance by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) for three weeks.
The suspect from Antique was temporarily residing here and considered as a high-value individual.
Coronica said that Espaltero most likely obtained his supply from Negros Occidental.
He urged other drug dealers to find a legitimate source of income and not suffer the same fate as Espaltero.