A SUSPECTED drug personality was killed while a police officer was hit after they engaged in a shootout during a drug buy bust in Upper Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday, February 21.
Police identified the drug suspect as Jason Cuizon, unemployed and resident of barangay Camaman-an, this city.
Authorities claimed that Cuizon was armed with a suspected caliber 45 pistol and was first to shoot at the poseur-buyer after noticing that he is dealing with the law enforcers.
The poseur-buyer identified as Police Officer 1 Rey Caesar Ramos was hit at the chest, but the bullet did not pierce through his bullet-proof vest.
Back-up operatives were forced to retaliate which resulted to the death of the suspect.
Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa II, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said the suspect was rushed to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) but was declared dead on arrival.
"Wala pa nakuha sa mga investigators kung aha gyud exactly naigo ug pila ang igo sa suspect," Hortillosa said.
"Cocpo reminds the public not to engage in illegal drug activities. They should not make a move that will endanger the lives of the police operatives to avoid armed encounter. We will not promise that there will be no casualties during drug operations but we promise that will we will never stop the fight against illegal drugs until we achieve a drug-free city," he added.
Investigation also showed the suspect was released from prison for snatching and drug charges two months ago. He was also figured in the drug list of the Directorate for Intelligence (DI).
Investigators recovered a sachet of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) worth around P3,000 and the suspect's gun.