1 killed, 2 held in drug buy-bust operations in Nueva Ecija
LUPAO, Nueva Ecija – Police killed a suspected drug trader who reportedly engaged them in a firefight during a buy-bust operation here on Wednesday (May 19).
The slain suspect was identified as Romnick Garces, a resident of Barangay San Josef Sur in Cabanatuan City. He reportedly sold a sachet of “shabu” (crystal meth) worth P500 to an undercover agent.
Cabanatuan City is approximately 55.9 kilometers south of this town.
Forensic investigators also recovered the suspect’s .38-caliber revolver, said Staff Sgt. Ruben Erjas, investigator.
The suspect’s accomplice, he said, eluded arrest on board a motorcycle.
“The suspect sensed that he was dealing with policemen, suddenly drew his firearm and fired shot at the operatives,” said Erjas in a report.
In Cabanatuan City, police arrested Royce Pestaño, a tricycle driver from Barangay Dicarma, and his relative Ramoncito Pestaño in a separate buy-bust operation on Tuesday.
Seized from them were at least 14 sachets or 50.24 grams of shabu worth P341,632.
