‘Drug personality’ killed in police raid

A 43-year-old suspected drug personality was killed after police said he fired at officers serving a search warrant in Barangay Inolingan, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, on Sunday. (Aksyon Radyo Bacolod)

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 43-year-old man whom police described as a suspected drug personality was killed after he allegedly fired at officers serving a search warrant in Barangay Inolingan, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, on Sunday.

Police were serving a search warrant issued Aug. 20 by a Regional Trial Court in La Carlota City against a Barangay Inolingan resident identified only as “Reynan” for alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

The warrant stemmed from reports that Reynan had allegedly threatened people and illegally discharged a firearm in the area.

Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, regulates the ownership, possession and carrying of firearms and ammunition.

Police Maj. Ryan Villasario, chief of the Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station, said Reynan fled his home toward a mountainous area after sensing the presence of authorities.

Police said Reynan fired several shots at the operating team as he fled.

Officers returned fire because they faced imminent danger, resulting in a one-minute armed encounter, Villasario said.

Police recovered a 12-gauge shotgun, a round of ammunition and a .45-caliber Colt pistol, according to Villasario.

Villasario said Reynan had previously escaped during a police buy-bust operation.

Police had tagged him as a street-level individual, Villasario said.

Police also considered Reynan armed and dangerous, according to Villasario.

Villasario alleged that Reynan had used firearms to threaten customers in connection with the illegal drug trade.

Villasario said the operating team did not expect the operation to end in a shootout but had to defend itself.

He said the officers underwent debriefing because of the traumatic experience.

Villasario said police were willing to respond to any complaint filed over the incident.

Under the Philippine National Police’s 2021 operational procedures, the local police unit must investigate an armed confrontation, secure and preserve the scene, and request crime scene processing.