PDEA agent, 3 suspects dead in Zambo Sibugay drug bust

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines — An agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and three suspects were killed in a buy-bust operation late on Monday (Sept. 2) at a village in Ipil town, Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Maj. Lee Eric Humpa, Ipil police chief, said PDEA agent Jack Roland Bastatas was killed a policeman, Cpl. Richie Novie Janeo, was wounded when the suspects opened fire at the lawmen’s vehicle.

Three suspects were killed—Ibrahim Cula, Jan-jan Mauli and Absor Cula. A fourth suspect, a certain Rosalie Gonzales Cula, was arrested.

The site of the buy-bust was a dark, grassy and elevated area which made it easy for the suspects to have a vantage point against the law enforcers belonging to PDEA and police.

When PDEA’s lead vehicle stopped near the area, the suspects opened fire from the elevated area, killing Bastatas and wounding the policeman.

Recovered from the scene were more than 30 grams of suspected shabu, or crystal meth, two long firearms, handguns, bullets and magazines.

Police claimed that they also found in the site identification cards linking the suspects to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). –Leah Agonoy

/tsb