Cops shoot dead ‘pusher’ in La Trinidad drug ‘shootout’

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Police shot dead an alleged drug pusher in a “shootout” here Tuesday night at Barangay Shilan.

“The subject drug pusher of a buy-bust operation was shot and died after exchanging fire with the police operative who acted as buyer,” said a report from the regional police headquarters her at Camp Dangwa.

The report said suspect Hilario Viduya Pineda opened fire at one of the police operatives who was wearing a bullet proof vest after discovering that some of the money given to him were fake.

The cop reportedly retaliated and shot the suspect which caused his instant death.

Elements of the the Intelligence Branch of Benguet and Abra provincial police offices participated in the operation.

Recovered from the crime scene were Springfield Cal. 45 pistol, four fired bullets, five live ammunition, brown camouflage sling bag containing cell phone with sim card, six plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, six pieces P1,000 bills of which three were alleged fake money, motorcycle used by the suspect and some of his belongings.

Pineda was reportedly listed in the “street level target” of the Directorate for Intelligence of the Philippine National Police and the list of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency who had been monitored to be operating in Abra, Baguio City, La Trinidad, and other places in Region 1.

When the suspect was still 18 years old, he was reportedly arrested several times for engaging in illegal activities such as theft and robbery.

As a minor and without a home, Pineda was given shelter at the police station by the Women and Children Protection Desk of Baguio City Police Office and given education through the Alternative Learning System.

However, he left police program and reportedly went back to his illegal activities including illegal drugs.

Police Regional Office Cordillera director Brig. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson cited police for the operation.

On Monday night, another drug pusher was reportedly arrested in Baguio City for selling two sachets of shabu.