SAN JOSE CITY – A suspected pusher of illegal drugs from Cabanatuan City was killed in an encounter with police operatives in Barangay Caanawan here at about 2:20 a.m. Monday.
Lt. Col. Heryl Bruno, city police chief, identified the suspect as Rafael Beltran alias Apeng, reportedly operating in Nueva Ecija and adjoining areas.
Bruno said anti-drugs personnel have successfully purchased from the suspect a sachet of shabu using marked money in the operation. But the suspect suddenly fired at the undercover policeman who in turn fired back and fatally hit the former.
“When the transaction was consummated, the suspect sensed that he transacted with a police officer then he pulled his short firearm and fired upon the operating troops that ensued into firefight hitting the suspect fatally,” police said.
Investigators recovered from the suspect one homemade .9mm pistol, eight sachets of shabu, and a single motorcycle.
