Drug peddling suspect shot dead by police in Lapu-Lapu City

CEBU CITY – A suspected drug peddler was killed in a shootout with police in Lapu-Lapu City early on Sunday.

Joel Oyao Amistad, 43, was already dead when brought to the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital.

His son, Ken, 18, was arrested for the possession of one medium pack and 42 small packs of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride).

The Oyao drug group, a notorious drug syndicate in Lapu-Lapu City where Amistad was a part of, is believed to behind the ambush of two policemen on Saturday, according to the police.

PO3 Antonio Inihao died while PO3 Jasper Nuñez was seriously wounded by a still unidentified gunman during the ambush in a cockpit in Sitio Sunlot in Barangay Calawisan where they were doing surveillance operations.

Marigondon Police chief Alcon Escusara said a police team consisting of personnel from the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) and the Lapu-Lapu City Police Station went to Amistad’s residence in Barangay Agust about 3:50 a.m. to serve a warrant for his arrest.

Amistad was jailed for a drug case in December 2015 but was released on bail.

Escusara said Amistad fired shots at the police team and died during the exchange of gunfire.

Police recovered a .357 revolver near the suspect’s body.  SFM