Drug pusher shot dead, 3 cops hurt in Nueva Ecija buy-bust


GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija – A suspected drug pusher was killed while three policemen were injured in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Bacayao here on Tuesday, April 4.

A belated report from the office of Col. Richard Caballero, Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office chief, identified the fatality as Reynaldo de Guzman, alias “Jay-Ar,” of Barangay Bacayao.

Police conducted a buy-bust operation against the suspect. He noticed that he was dealing with a police poseur-buyer and drew a firearm and fired at the police officer but missed him.

The suspect was disarmed by the police but he managed to pull out an ice pick and stab Police Staff Sgt. Joseph dela Cruz, the poseur-buyer; Police Corporal Jerry Kidatan, and Police Staff Sgt. Michael Villados, prompting nearby lawmen to shoot the suspect.

De Guzman died on the spot while the injured police officers were taken to the Guimba Community Hospital.

Police recovered from the crime scene a .38 caliber revolver, an ice pick, a motorcycle, and .55 grams of suspected shabu.

De Guzman was in the illegal drugs watchlist of the Guimba police.