CEBU, Philippines — A drug suspect was killed after allegedly shooting it out with the operatives of Cebu City Drug Enforcement Unit Wednesday evening in Sitio Sidlakan, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City.
Police Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, deputy city director for operations of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), identified the fatality as Ralph Tejares, 22, a resident of the same barangay.
The police operatives were conducting a validation operation against Tejares when the alleged shootout occurred. According to Parilla, Tejares sensed of the ongoing police operation and maneuvered to escape giving the law enforcers a brief chase.
As he was fleeing, Tejares reportedly fired at the pursuing operatives prompting the law enforcers to shoot back.
“Right after, ningpabuto sya so no choice ang atoang mga police but to retaliate. Naigo sad siya… so unfortunately namatay,” said Parilla.
Parilla said Tejares could sell up to one kilo of illegal drugs in per week making him as a high-value individual.
Recovered during the operation were sachets of shabu weighing 535 grams with an estimated value of P3,638,000, a handgun, and a sling bag containing the illegal drugs.
Parilla believes that Tejares was on his way to deliver the illegal drugs when the shootout happened.
“Which is supposed to be nga kato sad unta nga time, mag-deliver or magtagak na sad siya’g item ngadto sa iyang deliveranan,” said Parilla.
Tejares was reportedly a known illegal drug peddler in his barangay. He has two siblings who are both in jail also for illegal drugs.
“Kung ing-ana ang sistema sa ilahang pamilya nga iyang duha ka igsoon nga napriso, so nagdako gyud ni sya, or namat-an niya nga dunay ing-ana nga panginabuhi iyang mga igsoon, probably aware na siya daan,” said Parilla. — FPL (FREEMAN)