The alleged cohort of a former television cameraman, who was earlier caught transporting shabu, was killed in a shootout with policemen during a follow-up operation early yesterday morning in Quezon City.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) identified the slain suspect as Danilo Esparagosa, alias Dan Dan, a resident of Palawan St., Barangay Santo Cristo. He was tagged No. 3 in the target list of drug personalities prepared by Masambong Police Station.
Police said Esparagosa was the alleged cohort of Dennis Ofilada, a former cameraman of a known television network, who was arrested Sunday for transporting P70,000 worth of shabu.
Police on Sunday flagged down the motorcycle-riding duo at a checkpoint on Mindanao Avenue, Project 6, for not wearing helmets.
Police arrested Ofilada after confiscating from him 35 grams of shabu. Esparagosa, on the other hand, managed to flee onboard his motorcycle.
Operatives from the anti-illegal drugs unit of the police station conducted a follow-up operation around 1:30 a.m.
Wednesday after an informant told them of Esparagosa’s whereabouts.
The lawmen spotted and chased Esparagosa along Roosevelt Avenue in Barangay Veterans Village, Project 7.
Police said the suspect even ignored a nearby checkpoint.
When cornered at Road B, the suspect reportedly pulled out a .38-caliber revolver and started firing at the lawmen.
Police fired back and killed him during the clash. (Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola)