By Lyka Manalo
BATANGAS CITY – A newly-identified drug suspect who reportedly sources illegal drugs from contacts inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) was killed in a shootout with the police in Barangay Tingga Itaas, here, Wednesday night.
The Batangas Police Provincial Office (BPPO) identified the suspect as Mhelboy Gonzales, a resident of Barangay Balagtas in this city.
Investigation showed that Gonzales shot an undercover police officer when he sensed that he was the subject of a buy-bust operation at around 11:45 p.m.
A composite team of local police officers and members of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) and Batangas City Drug Enforcement Team (CDET) promptly responded and overpowered Gonzales.
Recovered from the slain suspect were 10 sachets of shabu, a .45 caliber pistol and a yellow motorcycle without license plate.
The police said Gonzales sources illegal drugs from a certain Ryan Villamor who is locked up at the NBP in Muntinlupa City.
Gonzales allegedly peddles illegal drugs in Barangay Balagtas and other parts of the city.