A SUSPECTED drug personality, whom the police claimed to have been armed with a gun and grenade, was killed after he allegedly fought back with police operatives in a drug bust in Cala-Cala, Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City, over the weekend.
Police identified the killed drug suspect as alias "Bolantoy," who was believed to be a member of notorious Batang Mindanao (BM) 29 gang as evident on the tattoo markings seen on the suspect's left and right legs.
Investigators are still looking into the full identity of the suspect.
The operation was launched by the drug enforcement team of Police Station 9 in Macasandig.
Investigation disclosed that the suspect drew his caliber 22 magnum revolver and shot the policeman who acted as poseur buyer at the chest. However, the bullet did not go through because the personnel was wearing a bullet proof vest.
Police also said the suspect fired several times toward the back-up operatives but no one was hit, forcing authorities to retaliate, hitting the suspect twice at the chest.
Operatives also saw the suspect getting a hand grenade from his pocket, which compelled them to shoot the suspect again. The suspect sustained gunshot wound in the abdomen.
Members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered from the crime scene an MK2 fragmentation grenade, a caliber 22 magnum revolver, two fired cartridges, three sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) worth around P5,000, and other personal belongings of the suspect.
The seized grenade was turned over to the Explosive Ordnance Division.
Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa II, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said this is the first case of drug suspect killed in police operation for this month.
"Cocpo values human lives and respect human rights which guide us to arrest the suspect unharmed in our anti-illegal drug operations. But, if the lives of the operating personnel are at stake we have no choice except to retaliate. We can't afford that the lives of our personnel will be endangered," Cocpo said.
"Cocpo extends our deepest sympathy to the bereaved family and reminds all drug personalities again to stop engaging in illegal drugs," it added.