Suspected drug pusher killed in shootout

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines -  An alleged drug pusher was killed after a shootout with anti-narcotics operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and local policemen Wednesday evening in Poblacion West, Asingan, Pangasinan.

Elias Sultan alias 'Kadi' tried to escape, drew a gun and even lobbed a grenade but was eventually killed in the gunbattle while his companion Benito Monses of Poblacion East, Asingan, Pangasinan was arrested.

PDEA- Region 1 spokesman Bismark Bengwayan said both suspects were riding motorcycles when they met a covert anti-narcotics agent for the transaction. The exchange went smoothly inside the service vehicle of the anti-narcotics agents until the agent declared his identity prompting Kadi to draw a hidden .45 caliber pistol and a hand grenade at the same time escaping the vehicle.

Warning fellow agents, the PDEA agent acting as poseur buyer, jumped for cover and shouted to his colleagues that the suspect was armed.

Kadi, seeing the oncoming agents, lobbed the grenade and fired while fleeing. He jumped to a thickly vegetated area to reload his firearm, Bengwayan said.

Lucky for the PDEA agents, the grenade's pin was not totally removed.

A brief search at the vegetated area prompted another exchange of gunfire between Kadi and the operatives. After the gunsmoke cleared, the agents found the drug pusher hit.

Bengwayan said Kadi was brought to the Asingan Community Hospital but he expired after several attempts to revive him.

Eight large plastic sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu valued at about P1.05 million were recovered in the area including both motorcycles used in the transport of illegal drugs, the .45 caliber pistol used by Kadi and the hand grenade which was taped for safe transport.

Regional Director Adrian G. Alvarino of PDEA Ilocos region hailed his men for the quick response and was glad no law enforcer was hurt or injured. 

“We find this disturbing as Kadi’s action and reaction is relative to a military training,” he said.

Wednesday’s shootout was reportedly the third incident where drug traffickers shot it out with PDEA agents in the Ilocos region.

Monses was booked and if found guilty by the court will be facing a life imprisonment and a fine of P500,000 to P10 million pesos under Section 5 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.