Ex-village chief running for Sorsogon town councilor killed in buy-bust

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — A suspected big-time drug pusher who is running for town councilor was killed on Wednesday night during a drug buy-bust in Pilar town in Sorsogon province.

Roy Lumbao, former village chief and a candidate for town councilor in Pilar, was killed in a buy-bust in Barangay (village) Binuahan, according to Christian Frivaldo Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) acting regional director.

Lumbao sold suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) worth P18,000 to an undercover PDEA operative at the said village at around 8:30 p.m., Frivaldo said.

After sensing that it was a buy-bust, Lumbao drew his .45 caliber pistol tucked in his waist, forcing police operatives to open fire, killing him instantly.

Frivaldo in a phone interview said the victim was a high-value target and had been under surveillance before the buy-bust.  /muf