A BUYBUST operation conducted in Sitio Himombongan, Barangay Taloot in Argao town on Wednesday afternoon, January 30, resulted to the death of one suspected drug pusher.
Chief Insp. Rolan Aliser, Argao Police Station chief, said they were able to neutralize Richard Padin, 43, a resident of Barangay Tanke, Talisay City.
Aliser said they received reports that Padin has been selling illegal drugs in the area and decided to conduct an operation against him.
As one of their officers were transacting with Padin, the suspected drug pusher noticed that he was transacting with the police.
As police were about to arrest him, Padin attempted to fight back using an undetermined caliber of pistol.
Fortunately for the police, Padin's gun malfunctioned.
One of the police officers responding was able to fight back and shot Padin in the chest.
Padin was immediately brought to Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital but died just after arriving there.
Recovered from Padin were 38 small packs of suspected shabu and the P500 buybust money.
But though Padin was killed, his live-in partner Virgie Sumalinog was arrested by police.
Separately, Sumalinog denied that the drugs found on her partner was his.
Aliser said that Padin has been operating in the area for less than a year and was often selling his drugs to residents living nearby.
He believes that Padin may have a contact in the area who would help him sell his illegal drugs but they can't divulge the name of the person until they can conduct a follow up operation.