2 killed in drug buy-busts in Isabela

By Liezle Blaasa-Iñigo

CAUYAN CITY, Isabela -- Suspected drug peddlers were killed by police in separate drug buy-bust operations in this city and Cabatuan town last week.

A report reaching Senior Supt. Mariano Rodriguez, Isabela Police Provincial Office director, identified the slain suspect in Cabatuan as Robert Cabuyadao, 53, of Barangay Turod, Quezon town in Isabela.

The report said Cabuyadao had just sold a sachet of suspected “shabu” to a poseur-buyer at 9:50 p.m. on Sept. 22 in Barangay Rang Ay, Cabatuan, when allegedly drew his Cal.38 revolver and fired at undercover agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 2.

The buy-bust team had no other recourse but to return fire, killing the suspect.

Later the same night at 11:15, PDEA-2 agents targeted the arrest of Manny Mapalo, 48, of Barangay Bimmunton, Mallig town in another buy-bust operation in Barangay Tagaran, Cuayan City.

Mapalo, like Cabuyadao, allegedly pulled a gun on the arresting agents, forcing them to shoot back.

He died on the spot.