Suspected gunrunner killed, three cohorts arrested in Bacoor drug ops
By Dhel Nazario
An alleged drug peddler said to be involved in gunrunning activities was killed while three of his cohorts were arrested in a buy-bust operation by anti-narcotics operatives in Bacoor City on Wednesday night.
The fatality was identified by police as Christopher Duterte. Three of his alleged cohorts were identified as Brian Narvaez, 36; Mel Mojica, 45; and Alfredo Cabildo, 40.
According to the report from the Cavite Police, the the operation was launched by members of the Bacoor Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) at 9 p.m. in Barangay Habay 1, Bacoor City, Cavite.
Investigation showed that a poseur buyer was able to purchase one medium size plastic sachet of suspected shabu weighing more or less five grams from Duterte. He also showed the two more medium size plastic sachets of suspected shabu that weighed more or less 10 grams.
Police said that the suspect sensed that he was dealing with authorities so he ran inside his house, and the operatives chased him as he went inside his room on the second floor. When he was cornered, instead of surrendering himself, he immediately fired at the arresting officers several times.
Duterte was then hit in the body while one of the police officers was only hit on his bulletproof vest during the exchange of fire. Police operatives sought the assistance of Bacoor Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (BDRRMO) but the suspect was declared dead.
His cohorts were arrested for sniffing illegal drugs at the said place. Police confiscated from their possession were three medium size plastic sachets of suspected shabu weighing more or less 15 grams and several drug paraphernalia.
Prior to the incident, the Bacoor City Police said that they have received several reports that Duterte and his cohorts were involved in gunrunning and other illegal activities. Authorities recovered one caliber 9mm Armscor pistol loaded with five pieces of ammunition.