Two drug suspects died in a shootout with Quezon City policemen during a buy-bust operation at Barangay UP Campus on Tuesday.
The slain suspects were identified as Robinry Magtarayo, alias “Suka,” and Jeffrey Rodriguez, alias “Jeff,” said a report to Chief Supt. Joselito T. Esquivel Jr., Quezon City Police District director.
Police also arrested Bernie Maravilla, 36, of Rodriguez, Rizal province.
Combined operatives of Anonas police station, District Drug Enforcement Unit and District Special Operations Unit conducted the drug sting around 9 a.m. after receiving reports of the suspects’ alleged drug peddling at a shanty on Cotabato Street Pook Arboretum.
A policeman acted as a buyer of “shabu” (crystal meth), but the team heard gunshots inside the shanty.
The suspects tried to escape, but the operatives said Rodriguez shot it out with police, resulting in his death. The body of Magtarayo was found inside the shanty. Maravilla surrendered.
Crime scene evidence
Police claimed recovering from the crime scene a .38-caliber revolver, two improvised shotguns (“sumpak”) with 12 gauge ammunition, a sachet of marijuana, four sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia.
Esquivel commended his men who “tried to defend themselves” from the “armed drug suspects.”
“We encourage drug personalities to surrender to authorities and avail [themselves] of the opportunity [to undergo] drug rehabilitation,” he said. —MARIEJO S. RAMOS