Suspected illegal drugs, a pistol and cash are recovered by police following an anti-drug operation that resulted in the death of an alleged suspect in Barangay 76-A Bucana. (Photos courtesy of San Pedro Police Station)
DAVAO CITY—A drug suspect was shot dead in an anti-drug operation here on Monday, police said on Tuesday.
Romeo Bas died upon arrival at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) following a violent confrontation with lawmen in Barangay 76-A Bucana past 9:50 a.m., according to Maj. Catherine dela Rey, Davao City Police Office spokesperson.
Dela Rey said the 39-year-old Bas, who went by the alias “Jun”, a resident of Barangay 39-D, was tagged as top 3 drug personality in the area of responsibility of the San Pedro Police Station which covers several urban barangays in Davao.
A joint operation by elements of San Pedro police station and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was carried out against Bas, in which an undercover agent was able to buy from the suspect a medium-sized sachet of suspected shabu or crystal meth for P18,000.
As the transaction was completed, the suspect allegedly pulled a handgun from his sling bag and opened fire at the poseur-buyer who was able to seek cover, Dela Rey said.
Responding lawmen fired at the suspect which resulted in his death.
Recovered from the scene were a .38 caliber revolver, ammunition, drug-using items paraphernalia and a plastic sachet containing shabu.
Bas was the third drug suspect killed in police operations in the city this month.
Last May 6, a certain Omar, 40, died following a buy-bust operation also carried out by San Pedro police, with more than P88,000 worth of illegal drugs and a caliber .38 pistol recovered.
On May 10, John Rey Deodoro alias Part, 26, was killed after allegedly fighting it out with police following a buy-bust operation in Toril district that netted over P301, 000 worth of shabu.
A caliber .38 handgun was likewise recovered at the scene, police said. (with reports from Eldie Aguirre)