RECOVERED EVIDENCE. The pieces of recovered evidence from drug suspect Ronel Revilla, after a shootout in Talomo, Davao City, on Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 11, 2020). Revilla, a forest ranger of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 11 assigned in Mati City, Davao Oriental, was killed in a shootout with authorities during the buy-bust operation. (Photo courtesy of Talomo Police)
DAVAO CITY–A forest ranger of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 11 (DENR-11) was killed in a shootout with authorities in a buy-bust operation Wednesday afternoon here.
In a police report on Thursday, Police Maj. Sean Logronio, Talomo station commander, identified the suspect as Ronel Revilla, a resident of Catalunan Pequeño but was assigned in Mati City, Davao Oriental.
Logronio said Revilla, 38, was listed as "top 8 high-value target" (HVT) in Davao Region.
Police said Revilla drew his gun and opened fire at the arresting team after sensing that he was transacting with an undercover cop, prompting the authorities to return fire.
"Unfortunately, as the authorities opened the car door to arrest him, the suspect attempted to shoot them, which prompted the police to return fire and shot the suspect. He clearly did not want to be arrested," Logronio said.
Revilla was brought to Davao Adventist Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Logronio said the police officers managed to recover sachets of suspected shabu and improvised tooter from the suspect's possession at the hospital.
Revilla's vehicle also yielded 15 sachets of suspected shabu, marijuana seeds, drug paraphernalia, a .45 caliber pistol with ammunition, and other pieces of evidence, police said.
Logronio said all the confiscated illegal drugs have an estimated street value of PHP890,000.
He said the operation against Revilla came after a month-long case build-up, surveillance, and background investigation.
"We will continue to be in the frontline of ensuring public safety. Rest assured that our investigation will not stop here. We are now in the process of running after his cohorts and sources. We will show them no mercy," he ended. (PNA)
