BACOLOD CITY – A suspected drug pusher was killed in a shootout in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Inayawan, Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Good Friday.
Police identified the fatality as Elejarde Oblianda Jr., 42, of Barangay Inayawan.
Police Lt. Col. Gary Allan Resuma, Cauayan police chief, said they launched an operation against Oblianda after a month of monitoring.
However, Oblianda noticed that he was dealing with lawmen and fired at arresting police officers.
Police retaliated and killed the suspect. Oblianda died from a bullet wound in the body.
Recovered from the suspect were 10 grams of suspected shabu worth P68,000, the P600 marked money, P15,520, and a gun and bullets.
Police arrested the suspect’s 40-year-old live-in partner who faces a case for conspiracy in the illegal drug trade.
Resuma said that Oblianda was jailed for attempted murder but was able to post bail. The suspect’s live-in partner was also jailed for a drug offense and released through plea bargaining.
Resuma said that Oblianda was considered “armed and dangerous” in the area. He added that the suspect had several threat complaints.