Alleged drug pusher killed in shootout with cops in Batangas

Malvar town in Batangas (Wikipedia maps)

BATANGAS CITY — A suspected drug pusher was killed in an armed encounter with police officers in Malvar town in Batangas province Tuesday morning, police said.

Senior Inspector Arwin Baby Caimbon, Malvar police chief, said suspect Nestor Medel, 48, was the target of a drug buy-bust in the town’s Barangay (village) Poblacion at about 12:50 a.m.

Medel, upon sensing that he was transacting with police officers, started shooting, prompting police to retaliate.

Medel died while being taken to the DMMC Hospital in Tanauan City.

Recovered from the crime scene were a .45-pistol, two fired cartridge cases, one blue Suzuki MC and a P500 bill. Five sachets of suspected “shabu” (methampetamine hydrocloride) and an aluminum foil strip were also recovered from the pocket of the suspect.  SFM/rga