Pusher arrested in Toledo operation

CEBU, Philippines - A suspected drug pusher landed in the hospital after he was shot by the policemen he aimed his gun at during a buy-bust operation in Barangay General Climaco, Toledo City late Friday night.

Angelito Labajo, 41, sustained a gunshot wound on his right thigh.

Elements of the Toledo City Police led by Chief Insp. Michael Anthony Bastes proceeded to Labajo’s house at past 11 p.m. after sealing a supposed drug transaction with the suspect.

As soon as they met Labajo, the suspect handed over a pack of suspected shabu to a policeman who acted as the poseur-buyer in exchange of P250.

The poseur-buyer was about the hold the suspect when the latter pulled out a gun and aimed it at him, which prompted the police back-up, PO2 Geoffrey Neis, to shoot Labajo.

The suspect was arrested with the buy-bust money, three more plastic sachets of the same white powdery substance believed to be shabu, and a caliber .22 magnum revolver loaded with three bullets.

The suspect was taken to the Toledo City Hospital and was later referred to a hospital in Cebu City for further treatment while a criminal complaint is being prepared against him.

Bastes said they have received a number of complaints from the residents in the barangay about Labajo allegedly supplying drugs to the city particularly in mountain barangays.

Labajo, who has been staying lately in Lawaan II, Talisay City, went home to Barangay General Climaco for All Souls’ Day and, most likely, to dispose of the drugs he got in Talisay City, Bastes said.  (FREEMAN)