Eggplant farm ‘caretaker’ slain in Laguna buy-bust

SAN PEDRO CITY — A suspected illegal drug pusher was killed in a buy-bust operation in San Pablo City in Laguna province on Thursday evening.

In a text message, Laguna police chief Sr. Supt. Eleazar Matta said the police conducted a buy-bust operation targeting Jonald Moredo  in an eggplant farm in Barangay San Nicolas at around 7 p.m.

The suspect, who was from Tiaong, Quezon, allegedly work at the farm.

After the sale, the suspect allegedly drew out a gun, prompting a shootout.  He was hit when the police shot back. He died on the way to the hospital in the city.

The police recovered a .45 caliber gun and a sling bag that contained a still undetermined amount of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth).

Police said Moredo used his farm job as a cover to peddle drugs to tricycle and jeepney drivers, specifically in the villages of San Nicolas, San Rafael, and San Francisco.

He was also included in the police watchlist of drug suspects. /ee