Drug suspect killed in shootout

A man suspected to be involved in selling illegal drugs was killed in a shootout with police yesterday afternoon in barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City.

Paul Alquisalas, 42, died on the spot with a bullet wound in the chest.

Police said a shootout broke out when Alquisalas fired a shot at law enforcement members during a buy-bust operation.

Police said Alquisalas had been placed under surveillance for his alleged involvement in selling drugs in barangays Pajac, Maribago and Marigondon.

Past 3 p.m. yesterday, members of the City Anti-illegal Drugs Task Group  and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas went to Pajac to conduct a buy-bust operation against Alquisalas.

Police said a poseur-buyer handed the buy-bust money to Alquisalas and in return got a big plastic pack of suspected shabu.

Police said Alquisalas noticed the arriving policemen, drew a .45 pistol and opened fire.

Police retaliated and hit him in the chest.

Police said the firearms of the policemen involved in the operation and the .45 pistol of Alquisalas will be subjected for a ballistic test to erase any doubt that it was not a shooout.

Police said recovered from Alquisalas were a .45 pistol with six bullets, P500 marked money and big plastic pack of suspected shabu.

Police said Alquisalas’ parents are detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail for drug charges./CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA