‘Pusher’ killed in Iloilo City drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A suspected drug pusher was killed following a shootout with two police poseur buyers following a buy-bust operation early morning of Feb 21, 2023 in Jaro, Iloilo City.

Jason Espaltero, 32, a native of San Jose, Antique but temporarily residing at Barangay Rizal-Estanzuela, City Proper, Iloilo City, was killed after he allegedly resisted police operatives.

Espaltero allegedly shot an undercover agent of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU) after the latter tried to arrest him.

“Our operative was hit just above his stomach but the bullet did not penetrate his bullet-proof vest. He slumped to the floor when we responded but his backup buddy was able to neutralize the suspect,” according to Lt. Colonel Antonio Benitez Jr., ICPO CDEU and concurrent ICPO City Intelligence Unit (CIU) chief.

By neutralize, Benitez said their personnel was able to retaliate and shoot Espaltero. He succumbed to a gunshot wound on his chest.

He was rushed to West Visayas State University Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival.

Benitez said the suspect had earlier agreed to complete the transaction in Molo district.

But at the last minute, he told the buyers that they would do the trade at Lanit village in Jaro.

He was able to sell five sachets of suspected shabu for P75,000 to the police poseur buyers.

After the transaction was consummated around 1:50 a.m. on Tuesday, the undercover policeman identified himself.

As he was about to arrest Espaltero, the latter vehemently resisted being handcuffed.

Espaltero quickly pulled a gun and shot one of the two police operatives.

Benitez said some CDEU and Iloilo City Police Station 3 operatives quickly rushed to the scene and found Espaltero bloodied while the cop was writhing in pain on the floor.

Recovered from the crime scene and the suspect’s possession were the 22 sachets of suspected shabu including the buy-bust items; P1,200 cash owned by the victim; the P75,000 marked money; a red sling bag; several non-drug items; a caliber .45 pistol loaded with a magazine with ammunition; and an extra magazine loaded with 7 ammunition.

Benitez said the seized illegal drugs weighed around 110 grams and were valued at P748,000.

Benitez said they were equipped with two body-worn cameras during the operation.

It has been more than a year since a drug pusher was killed during a police operation.

The latest was the controversial killing of Karl Daniel Bolante at Barangay North Baluarte, Molo on June 29, 2021.

THIRD IN LANIT

Benitez said they’re still investigating if the slain suspect had links with the two suspected pushers who were arrested over the weekend.

“What we know for now is that Espaltero was born in Antique but has been changing residents,” he said.

Espaltero had a precarious drug arrest which reportedly happened in Bacolod City.

But police are also determining the disposition of his case.

Espaltero’s name came out after arrested drug pushers pointed to him as one of their sources.

Benitez said the suspect had been getting his supply in Negros Island and, presumably, from a source at the National Bilibid Prison.

CDEU operatives also arrested alleged drug pushers in Barangay Lanit around 12:50 a.m. on Feb 18.

Praud Joan Animas, 43, was collared during a buy-bust operation at his house.

He yielded around 160 grams of shabu valued at P1,020,000.

Hours later, police arrested Dennis Longno, 45, also a resident of Barangay Lanit, Jaro for alleged possession of suspected shabu worth P81,600.