Alleged drug pusher killed in Mindoro buy-bust

CITY OF CALAPAN – A suspected drug pusher was killed after he allegedly resisted arrest and engaged policemen in a firefight during an anti-drug operation in the town of Rizal in Occidental Mindoro province Wednesday night, police said Thursday.

Police said Richard Ube, of San Jose town in Occidental Mindoro, sold a sachet of suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) for P1,000 to Police Officer 2 Fruto Labrador II during a buy-bust operation in Barangay (village) Sto. Niño at about 7:20 p.m.

After the exchange, Labrador introduced himself as a policeman and tried to arrest Ube but the suspect ran, drew his firearm and shot at the lawman. Labrador, who was not hit, fired back but missed.

Ube unknowingly ran toward Senior Insp. Dennis Rivera and PO3 Andy Cadiao II who were positioned nearby.

Seeing the lawmen, Ube reportedly opened fire, prompting Rivera and Cadiao to shoot back, hitting the suspect.

An unidentified companion of Ube sped off on a motorcycle toward Barangay Central, also in San Jose.

Ube died on the way to the San Jose District Hospital. CBB/rga