A SUSPECTED drug pusher died following a shootout with policemen in an anti-drug operation in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, the police reported Sunday, July 29.

Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the slain suspect as Ken Adrian Banda, 20, a resident of the village of Poblacion, Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Galvez said the shootout happened during a drug bust around 9 p.m. Saturday, July 28, in the village of Mabini, Malangas.

Galvez said Banda pulled a caliber .38 revolver and opened fire but missed when he noted the presence of policemen “after the transaction was consummated.”

She said Banda was injured when the policemen returned fire.

She said Banda was rushed but failed to reach the hospital alive.

She said recovered from the possession of the suspect were: four small-size heat-sealed plastic sachet of suspected shabu; and, one caliber .38 revolver with four live ammunition and one empty shell.