Cop, suspect dead in Tacloban City buy-bust

TACLOBAN CITY — A policeman and a drug suspect were killed in a drug bust operation in Barangay 84, Tacloban City at past 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Police Lt. Col. Bella Rentuaya, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas, identified the slain policeman as Police Cpl. Arman Batocan, a member of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU). The suspect was identified as Ralph Basiano, a drug surrenderer.

Rentuaya said members of the RDEU conducted a drug bust against the suspect. However, when Basiano learned that he was transacting with a policeman, he drew his firearm and engaged the operatives in a shootout.

Recovered from the suspect was a large sachet containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, a .45-caliber pistol with magazine and ammunition.

Both Basiano and Batocan were brought to the hospital but were declared dead on arrival by the attending physicians.