A policeman allegedly involved in the illegal sale of firearms died after exchanging gunfire with the arresting authorities in Placer, Masbate, on Saturday.
Authorities identified the suspect as Staff Sgt Grafilo Pahilino Jr., stationed at the Cataingan Municipal Police Station.
The entrapment operation conducted by the police against Pahilino in Baranagy Matagangtang around 7:20 p.m.
According to the Bicol police report, the suspect allegedly sold three .38 caliber revolvers and a .45 caliber to the poseur buyer in exchange for P25,000.
After exchanging the item, the suspect allegedly noticed the approaching policemen, so he pulled out the gun and shot the poseur buyer, who was hit in the arm.
The suspect was still in the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
The suspect was also found in possession of a government-issued 9mm pistol and two extra magazines.
According to the investigation, the suspect has long been involved in selling unlicensed firearms in Masbate.
It is also said to be related to the Bustillos drug group, which promotes illegal drugs and serves as a protector of some drug personalities in the province.
Meanwhile, two men were arrested in separate anti-drug operations by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Caloocan and Quezon City police.
P3.4-million worth of shabu was confiscated from a delivery rider in a buy-bust operation in Caloocan City.
On Saturday, a 38-year-old delivery rider was arrested outside a fast-food chain in Barangay 84, Caloocan, with half a kilo of shabu.
Cop allegedly involved in gunrunning killed in Masbate operation
The operation was conducted by PDEA Central Luzon members along with the Caloocan police.
According to PDEA, the suspect is from GMA, Cavite.
The confiscated drugs were in 2 plastic bags and valued at P3.4 million.
On Sunday, another male drug suspect was arrested outside a mall on Commonwealth Avenue in Batasan Hills, Quezon City.
In the buy-bust of PDEA Calabarzon and NCR in the mall’s parking lot, the suspect, alias Mohammad, was arrested past 6 p.m.
It is estimated that P6.9 million (almost 7 million pesos) in 1 kilo of shabu were seized from him.
Both suspects are facing charges of violating anti-drug law.
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