Top Drug Suspect Killed in Escalante

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – A 51-year-old man, identified only as “Edgar,” and tagged as Escalante City’s top drug personality, was killed in a daring attack at Sitio Napungalan 2, Barangay Jonobjonob, early Sunday morning.

Police Lt. Suzennie Ann Legada, administrative officer of the Escalante City Police Station, said that at least nine unidentified individuals armed with high-powered firearms stormed Edgar’s house at around 5:45 a.m.

The assailants broke the windows to gain entry. Witnesses reported that the victim resisted, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.

As Edgar attempted to escape through the front door, one of the suspects shot him, killing him on the spot. The armed group then fled on foot, according to Legada.

Authorities recovered several items from the crime scene, including six sachets of suspected shabu, an improvised .380 caliber pistol, an improvised .357 caliber revolver, an improvised 12-gauge shotgun, live ammunition, spent cartridges of the same firearms, spent cartridges of a 7.62mm caliber weapon, and an apple-type hand grenade.

Legada stated that no leads on the perpetrators have been identified yet.

“We are not discounting the possibility that this could be drug-related, considering the background of the victim,” Legada said, adding that Edgar had been under police monitoring due to his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

The victim’s body underwent a paraffin test and a post-mortem examination. The firearms found at the scene were sent for ballistic testing.

While authorities are focusing on the drug angle, they are also investigating other possible motives behind the attack.