Ex-inmate slain in Occidental Mindoro buy-bust

CITY OF CALAPAN – A man recently released from prison died in a buy-bust operation in San Jose town, Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday night, police said.

Supt. Imelda Tolentino, spokesperson of the Mimaropa police, said Jose Catalan sold suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) to undercover policemen in Barangay San Roque at 8:05 p.m.

Catalan, upon sensing that he was transacting with policemen, drew out his firearm and attacked the policemen, prompting them to shoot back.

The suspect was rushed to the Saint Magdalene Hospital for medical treatment but was the attending physician declared him dead on arrival. MADONNA T. VIROLA /lzb