Drug suspect slain police shootout

CEBU, Philippines — A drug suspect was killed in a shootout with police early yesterday morning, November 13, 2024, in Sitio Sawsawan, Barangay San Roque, Talisay City.

According to the police report, at approximately 12:50 a.m., officers from the City of Talisay Police Station were patrolling and monitoring following reports of illegal activities.

Around 1:50 a.m., upon approaching the interior portion of Sitio Sawsawan, an unidentified man, later identified as "Romel," fired at the police officers, resulting in an armed confrontation.

The suspect sustained gunshot wounds, while the police officers remained unharmed. Romel was immediately transported to Cebu South Medical District for emergency medical attention.

However, upon arrival, Dr. Bernal James declared the suspect dead at approximately 2:30 AM.

Evidence collected at the crime scene by SOCO included one revolver with three live ammunition rounds, one fired cartridge case inside the cylinder, two fired cartridge cases, one medium-sized heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, eight small-sized heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, and P300 in cash.

Police reported that the confiscated illegal drugs have an estimated weight of 2.4 grams with a street value of P16,320. The confiscated firearms will undergo ballistic examination. — /LPM (FREEMAN)