Retired police slain in Valenzuela City drug sting

A retired police officer was killed in a buy-bust operation in Valenzuela City, authorities reported Tuesday.

In a report, police said Exequiel Sanco Pacifico, 50, was a former Police Officer 2 and on the national drug watch list.

According to the report, members of the the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted a buy-bust operation on Monday night, targetting Pacifico, who allegedly suddenly pulled his pistol upon sensing that he was dealing with a government operative.

In the ensuing shootout, the PDEA agent hit the suspect several times in different parts of his body. Pacifico was taken to Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital but was declared dead on arrival around 9:36 p.m.

Recovered from the scene were a 9-millimeter pistol loaded with seven live ammunitions, a motorcycle, and P490 cash, according to the police report.

Also, operatives recovered 22 sachets of suspected shabu, 25 empty plastic sachets, P500 buy-bust money, another P1,246 cash, and a wallet with different identification cards from the suspect’s bag during an inventory conducted in the hospital emergency room, the police report added.           /kga