2 dead in Binondo buy-bust shootout

A bungled police operation against illegal drugs resulted in the death of a police asset and a suspected drug trafficker and the wounding of another in Binondo, Manila before dawn yesterday.

Killed was Richard Elnar, an asset of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and suspect Enrique Esguerra, 43, of 179 Mariveles street, La Loma, Quezon City.

Elnar suffered a lone gunshot wound in the head while Esguerra was hit just above his right eyebrow, his back and both arms. Both died while being taken to the Metropolitan Hospital.

Esguerra’s body was identified by his relatives at the Universal funeral parlor.

A second suspect, identified as Eric Diño, who was described as a big-time drug pusher, remains in critical condition at the Metropolitan Hospital due to gunshot wounds in the left eye and nose.

Investigators of the Western Police-Homicide Section reported that the shooting took place at around 2:25 p.m., involving a group of the suspected drug pushers and drugbusters, headed by Reynaldo Jaylo, director of PDEA Task Force Hunter.

Initial investigation showed that Jaylo’s group had tapped Elnar, who was a long-time PDEA asset, to contact and negotiate with the alleged pushers for a drug deal.

Last Thursday night, Elnar and the suspects agreed to meet.

The asset met with the suspects, who were aboard a gray Toyota Hilux 4x4 (XGU-201), atop the Sabino Padilla Bridge in Binondo, Manila.

When Elnar handed over the marked money to the suspects in exchange for illegal drugs, Esguerra and Diño became suspicious and checked the cash. They discovered that some of the bills were actually pieces of paper.

Gunfire rang out, prompting Jaylo and agent Cecilio Garcia to rush to the scene, but the suspects opened fire at them. A shootout ensued.

When the smoke cleared, three men were down, including the asset.

Jaylo’s men recovered from the suspects a still undetermined amount of shabu, a caliber .45 pistol, a caliber .38 revolver with ammunition, a Nokia 5110 cellular phone, a calculator and two wallets.

WPD officers are checking the background of Diño, who reportedly has pending charges. They refused to elaborate. – With Nestor Etolle