CAMP Gen. Francisco Macabulos, Tarlac – A notorious drug dealer was killed in an encounter with policemen during a buy-bust operation in Sitio Bacuit, Barangay Tibag, Tarlac City late Sunday night.
Senior Supt. Ritchie Medardo Posadas, acting provincial director of Tarlac Police Office identified the suspect as Rodel Espinosa alias “Deydey” and a resident of said area.
Posadas said Espinosa tried to fight it out with policemen after selling illegal drugs to an undercover cop who acted as poseur-buyer at around 9:30 p.m.
A SOCO team from Tarlac Provincial Crime Laboratory Office led by Supt Jessica Quilang arrived and processed the crime scene. Quilang said the suspect died on the spot due to severe bullet wounds in his body.
Police recovered from the suspect three small size heat sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu and a 38 cal. revolver with markings MOD-10 and loaded with five fired ammunition. Also, police recovered from the scene of the crime one spent shell for cal. 38 revolver and the marked money used in the drug sting.
Supt. Joel Mendoza, head of the local drug enforcement unit of Tarlac City Police Office, the suspect immediately pulled out a gun and engaged his men in a firefight after sensing that he will be cornered after the drug deal.
Mendoza said the suspect was listed number two in their list of top drug personalities in Tarlac City. (Rudy J. Abular)