Suspected drug trader slain in Leyte buy-bust

TACLOBAN CITY –– A suspected illegal drug trader was killed in a buy-bust operation in the town of Matalom in Leyte on Monday.

Crismar Llorca, 32, allegedly engaged the police in a shootout, prompting the operatives to retaliate.

Recovered from the victim were packs of shabu with a street value of P35,000.

Reports reaching the regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP), based in Palo town, said a poseur-buyer transacted with Llorca.

However, when Llorca sensed that he was transacting with policemen, he drew his firearm and fired at the police officers.

The police officers returned fire and hit Llorca in different parts of his body.