Lapu-Lapu drug dealer killed in police operation

A noted drug dealer in Lapu-Lapu City who refused to listen to the call of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stop his trade was killed Sunday in what police described as a legitimate PNP operation against the suspect.

As this developed, Lapu-Lapu City police director Supt. Arnel Libed again called on all drug dealers operating in the city to surrender, quit or leave the city before police catch if not kill them during legitimate operations.

The suspect, identified as Rexan Manggudatu of Sitio Kabayo-an, Barangay Maribago, a man in the police watch list, allegedly resisted arrest following a buy-bust operation conducted by elements of the City Intelligence Branch (CIB) led by PInsp. Felix Clepas.

Sensing the presence of undercover agents, Manggudatu reportedly pulled out his gun to fire at the police poseur buyer when back-up police returned fire, wounding the suspect on his chest.

Clepas said that when Manggudatu fell to the ground, police noticed that he was about to pull out a hand grenade.

Just as the suspect was about to remove the grenade’s safety pin, police said they fired again at Manggudatu, killing him instantly.

A .45 caliber pistol, a grenade, drug paraphernalia and suspected shabu (Methamphetamine Hydrochloride) with an estimated value of P200 thousand were recovered from the scene, police said.

According to police, they had asked Manggudatu to stop his drug operations during PNP’s “Oplan Tukhang” last week but the drug dealer refused to heed the warning and was not among the nearly 80 drug personalities who surrendered to the Lapu-Lapu City police last June 30.

“This city is no longer safe for drug personalities and criminals as we are going to implement the full force of the law,” Libed said.