P1.35 million ‘shabu’ seized in Digos City buy-bust; 2 suspects killed

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected drug personalities were killed by anti-narcotics operatives in a buy-bust operation in Digos City where “shabu” (crystal meth) worth P1.35 million was seized, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday.

Citing a police report, PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar identified one of the suspects who were killed as Sedfrey Sarsaba or “Ato,” while the other male suspect remains unidentified.

Meanwhile, another suspect, identified as Shejaya Binasing, also known as “Sheka”, was arrested.

According to Digos City Police Station’s report, anti-illegal drugs operatives conducted a joint buy-bust operation at Chapter 9, Barangay Aplaya, Digos City, Davao del Sur on Friday around 10:15 p.m, leading to the arrest of Binasing and the death of the two male suspects.

The police report narrated that the two male suspects died after one of the suspects, Sarsaba, attempted to shoot at a poseur buyer after he noticed that the person he was transacting with was a police officer. Sarsaba attempted to take his gun from a table, prompting the officer to shoot Sarsaba several times in self-defense.

The other unidentified male suspect also attempted to reach for the same firearm but was taken down by the police officer in the process.

The two were immediately brought to Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital for medication but were pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.

The total confiscated shabu has an estimated weight of 90 grams and an estimated value of P1,350,000.

Aside from the shabu, police operatives recovered from the suspects a caliber .38 revolver, some ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and personal belongings.

Eleazar said that further investigation is being conducted to determine if the suspects were part of a big-time drug syndicate.

“Patuloy nating inaalam kung miyembro ba ng malaking sindikato itong 2 suspek na napatay at iyong kasamahan nilang babae na naaresto ng ating kapulisan,” the Eleazar said.

(We are still investigating whether or not these 2 suspects who were killed and their arrested female colleague are members of a big syndicate.)

“Tinitingnan po natin kung saan galing itong shabu na narekober sa kanila at kung saan nila ito dapat idi-distribute,” he added.

(We are still currently looking into where the shabu came from and where they were planning to distribute it.)

The remains of the suspects are currently at Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital.

JE