Suspected ‘Kuratong Baleleng’ member nabbed for drugs in Southern Leyte

ORMOC CITY, Philippines — A suspected member of the notorious robbery group Kuratong Baleleng was killed in a drug bust in Barangay Pasay, Maasin City, Southern Leyte on Wednesday morning.

Police Lieutenant Wilfredo Camas, chief of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of Southern Leyte, identified the suspect as Antonio Espera.

Recovered from Espera’s possession were plastic sachets of shabu (crystal meth) amounting to P9,000.

During the transaction, Camas said Espera noticed that he was transacting with a policeman and drew his gun.

To protect themselves, the policemen returned fire and hit the suspect in different parts of the body.

The policemen immediately rushed the suspect to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police Major Ariel Nuñez, deputy officer of the Maasin City Police Office, said the suspect was arrested in Manila for robbery but returned home after serving his sentence. (Editor: Eden Estopace)