A SUSPECTED illegal firearms buy-and-sell agent was shot dead after engaging local authorities in a gunfight during a drug bust in Barangay Arenas, Arayat town.
The suspect identified as Hilario Sabado, 41, was allegedly the subject of surveillance activities after police received reports of his involvement in the sale of illegal firearms and with a gun-for-hire group.
During the buy-bust operation, police were able to purchase an undocumented caliber .45 gun from Sabado for P10,000 which prompted the police to announce his arrest.
However, Sabado allegedly resisted arrest and pulled out his gun instead, prompting the officer to retaliate.
Recovered from the crime scene were the two undocumented firearms, the marked money used in the operation and the motorcycle used by the suspect.