LEGAZPI CITY -- A suspected illegal drug pusher was killed, while three other suspected drug personalities were arrested in separate operations in Camarines Sur, police said Wednesday.
Jepot Balingquit alias "JP", single, of Barangay Sagrada, Pili town, was killed in a shootout with anti-narcotics operatives, said Chief Insp. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Police Regional Office 5 (Bicol) spokesperson.
Citing a report, Calubaquib said during a buy-bust operation at about 11 p.m. Tuesday, Balingquit pulled a .38 caliber revolver when he realized he was dealing with an undercover police officer, prompting the lawman to shoot him.
The victim, who sustained bullet wounds on his body, was rushed to the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City but was declared dead by the attending physician. He was a high-value target on the watch list of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Meanwhile, Ryan Banaag, 28, single, of Naga City, and Peter John Oliva, 29, of Iriga City, were collared by police operatives during a buy-bust operation in Pechitos Resort, Mariners Village, Barangay Sta. Lucia in Magarao town at about 12:10 a.m. Tuesday, Calubaquib said.
The suspects, according to her, were caught selling sachets of suspected “shabu” to an undercover agent posing as buyer.
Earlier on Monday, another group of police operatives arrested Jose Orgado Jr., 35, of Ragay town and seized from him two plastic sachets of suspected shabu during a buy-bust in Barangay GRS, Ragay town.
Calubaquib said all the suspects were detained at the municipal jails of Magarao and Ragay, while charges against them for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared. (PNA)
