A DRUG personality was killed in a shootout with policemen in an anti-drug operation in Zamboanga City, the police reported Wednesday, August 5.

Police Captain Edwin Duco, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the slain drug personality as Jesus Villaruel Esperila, alias Nonoy, a resident of Guiwan village, Zamboanga City.

Duco said the shootout ensued as the suspect opened fire, prompting the police team to fire back during a drug bust around 4:30 p.m. Monday in Sitio Sto. Niño in San Roque village.

The arresting team recovered from the suspect a caliber .45 pistol loaded with seven rounds of ammunition after the shootout.

Also recovered from the suspect were some P15,000 worth of shabu packed in four heat-sealed plastic sachets and P700 marked money consisting of two bills of P200 and three P100 bills.

The items confiscated from the suspects were brought to Zamboanga City Crime Lab Office for laboratory examination, while the subject was brought to a local funeral parlor, said Duco. (SunStar Zamboanga)