Village councilor killed in drug bust in Cagayan

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — A village councilor was killed in a shootout with policemen following a drug operation in Pamplona town in Cagayan province on Wednesday.

Elizar Ubias, 53, a council member of Barangay (village) Curva, allegedly attacked police officers who staged an entrapment operation at 8:30 a.m., according to Senior Insp. Antonio Palattao, Pamplona police chief.

A photograph released by the local police shows the bloodied Ubias slumped on the road, still astride his motorcycle, with a caliber .38 handgun lying on his chest. He sustained several gunshot wounds on different parts of his body.

Investigators recovered at the crime scene three sachets of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), bullets fired from a caliber .38 pistol and a 9mm handgun, and P2,000 in cash.

The victim was rushed to the Far North Medical Center in Luna town in Apayao province but was declared dead on arrival by doctors. JE