A suspected drug pusher was killed while his two companions – a police officer and a midwife – were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Sta. Mesa, Manila, early yesterday morning.
Police said the alleged drug pusher identified only as alias “Kulot” died on the spot after he engaged the anti-narcotics operatives of Sta. Mesa Police Station (PS8) in gunfight.
Lawmen apprehended during the operation PO3 Julius B. Payoyo, 54, a member of Mandaluyong City Police Community Precinct (PCP) 2 and 39-year-old midwife Maribel Resuello.
Supt. Olivia Ancheta Sagaysay, Sta. Mesa Police chief, said Kulot and PO3 Payoyo were the targets of the operation. The duo were included in the police drug watch list.
Prior to the shooting, an undercover policeman managed to buy a sachet of suspected shabu worth P300 inside the suspects’ house on Anonas Street in Barangay 628. Zone 63, around 12:10 a.m..
After sensing that their client was a police officer, Kulot ran outside and was eventually killed in alleged shootout with pursuing lawmen.
Payoyo and Resuello were arrested and are now detained at Sta. Mesa Police Station. They will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), according to police report.
(ANALOU DE VERA)