Shabu dealer shot dead in Solana

By Brenda Jocson

SOLANA, Cagayan—A 57-year-old man suspected of dealing illegal drugs died when he allegedly shot back at police during a buy-bust operation at Barangay Centro Southwest here night of June 2.

Police identified the fatality as Reynaldo “Rene” Yacat, married and resident of Maddarulog Norte, Enrile, Cagayan.

The police report said operatives led by Capt. Jhun Jhun Balisi, the deputy chief of police of Solana Police Station, and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 2 posed as buyers and bought P2,000 worth of “shabu” from Yacat at 11:35 p.m.

Sensing he had sold the drugs to an undercover officer, Yacat shot Balisi with a Cal. 38 revolver.

The policeman shot the suspect’s right hand to neutralize him, but Yacat continued to fire at him.

The officer fired back twice, hitting the suspect’s chest using his service 9mm revolver, the report added.

An unidentified companion of Yacat immediately sped away to the south onboard an XRM black motorcycle without a plate number.

The suspect was immediately brought to the St. Paul Hospital by police on mobile patrol, but doctors proclaimed him dead on arrival.

Recovered at the scene was the marked money used by the agents and two pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing alleged shabu, and the weapon used by Yacat.