“Drug dealer” killed for fooling customers

A security guard allegedly engaged in selling shabu as a sideline was shot dead Wednesday when he allegedly duped his customers by giving them a mixture of salt and alum powder.

Homicide investigators identified the fatality as 27-year-old Jovito “Intsik” Acruz. One of the two suspects was identified as a certain Gerald alias “Dodong Kulot,” an errand boy in a taxi garage in barangay Labangon.

Information gathered by authorities revealed that Acruz was last seen arguing with the suspects when the latter found out that Acruz delivered to them not shabu but salt and alum power mixture.

The transaction was reportedly made last Wednesday in bario Baho, barangay Labangon.

SPO1 Rogelio Nedamo of the city police’s homicide section said Acruz was with his friend Larry Racaza when he was seen arguing with the suspects.

Acruz was the one who reportedly delivered the supposed shabu to the suspects who later went back to the “delivery area,” looked for Acruz, and when they found him, an argument ensued.

Moments later, Acruz was trying to run free after being hit by a bullet. He, however, failed to go farther and slumped on the ground a few meters from where he was shot. The suspects subsequently escaped.

Relatives and neighbors of Acruz rushed him to the hospital but he was declared dead on arrival.

Police earlier said that because of the non-stop illegal drugs operations, popular substances such as shabu have reportedly become scarce, as demand has skyrocketed to three to four times higher.

With high demand and low supply, drug pushers reportedly then mix the genuine substance with salt, alum powder or any crystalline substances. — Edwin Ian Melecio/JMO