Cops kill drug suspect in shootout during Tacloban buy-bust

TACLOBAN CITY –– A drug suspect was killed in a shootout with the police during a buy-bust operation in this city on Tuesday night.

Andres Mirasol, 62, considered a high-value target, was gunned down after he allegedly drew his firearm.

Reports from the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) disclosed that the city policemen, joined by the elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), conducted an operation against the suspect.

Upon learning that he was transacting with a poseur-buyer, Mirasol drew his gun and fired at the law enforcers, prompting the latter to retaliate.

Mirasol was rushed to a private hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending doctor.

Recovered in the crime scene were 27 plastic sachets containing shabu, two opened heat-sealed plastic sachets containing shabu residues, two heat-sealed plastic sachets containing dried marijuana leaves, and a small pile of shabu.

In another buy-bust operation in the city, operatives seized 11 pieces of plastic containing suspected shabu with a street value of P216,500 from two suspects identified as Levi Maragrag, 19, and Bryan Miralles, 25.

The suspects are detained at the lock-up jail of the TCPO, pending the filing of charges against them.

LZB