CEBU, Philippines – An arrested drug suspect who was leading police in a raid on the house of more drug suspects was shot and killed in a burst of gunfire coming from that house early Saturday night in Mandaue City.
A stray bullet from the same burst of gunfire hit a 13-year-old girl and as of press time last night she was fighting for her life in the hospital.
Inspector George Aninon of the Mandaue City police homicide section identified the slain drug suspect as Rodulfo Sabrozo Jr., 21, a resident of Mantuyong who was arrested by a team from the Mandaue City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force allegedly in possession of 10 packs of shabu in varying sizes.
Mandaue City police chief Senior Superintendent Orlando Ualat confirmed that there was such an operation and that it was led by a certain PO3 Benedict Modina.
On interrogation by the team of Modina, Sabrozo allegedly admitted his involvement in illegal drug activities.
According to the police account, Sabrozo promised to reveal the identity of a “shabu queen” operating in the area in exchange for his freedom.
It was not clear if the police promised Sabrozo anything, but by the police’s own account, Sabrozo was with the raiding team proceeding to the house of the supposed “shabu queen,” whose name he divulged as a certain Inday (family name withheld by The FREEMAN pending the filing of appropriate charges), when the shooting incident happened.
The police account of the incident went on to say that as the team approached the house of the “shabu queen” with Sabrozo in tow, shots suddenly rang out, and Sabrozo fell to the ground mortally wounded.
It was not also clear if the police raiding team managed to fire back, but as quickly as the gunfire from the house erupted, the house just as suddenly fell silent.
By the time police managed to storm the house, they found it already empty of occupants, who appeared to have escaped through the backdoor, leaving only the telltale signs of some illegal activity going on — packs of shabu and other drug paraphernalia.
Police believe the “shabu queen” and an assistant were repacking shabu when the raiders arrived. They also believe it was the assistant who may have fired the shots.
Police said they are checking if the “shabu queen” is related to the girl wounded by a stray bullet since they seem to have the same family name.
Sabrozo, the girl, and the “shabu queen” are all said to be neighbors.
The girl was hit in the stomach and remains in critical condition. — /JST (THE FREEMAN)