Suspected drug pusher killed in shootout with QC cops

An alleged drug pusher was killed in a shootout with operatives of the Galas Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) following a buy-bust operation on Friday morning along Congressional Avenue in Quezon City.

In a statement, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar said suspect Bryan Montawan alias “Muslim,” 18, a resident of Sampaloc, Manila, was shot dead by operatives at about 12:00 a.m. along Congressional Avenue corner Tandang Sora in Barangay Pasong Tamo.

According to Eleazar, Montawan was aboard a dark red Toyota Vios sedan (with conduction sticker VO 5188) and was allegedly in the act of selling drugs to an undercover operative when his three companions, who were also aboard the car, detected the bust.

The suspects then sped off and a brief car chase followed. Eleazar said the suspects opened fire at the pursuing lawmen which triggered a shootout during the chase.

Montawan sustained a gunshot wound in the body and died on arrival at the Quezon City General Hospital, police said. His three cohorts meanwhile escaped during the shootout. Police later identified one of the escaped suspects as Joel de Leon, 25.

Recovered from the suspects’ car were four plastic sachets containing shabu and a caliber .38 revolver loaded with five bullets.    /muf