Francis de Gala
  • Sex: Male
Incident Details
  • Killed in police operation in public
  • Date of Incident: December 6, 2018
  • Time of Incident: 12:30 pm
  • Location of Incident: Lucena City, Quezon
Source(s)

LUCENA City — Two suspected drug pushers were killed as they allegedly engaged police operatives in a shootout, 30 minutes after midnight on Thursday at Bgy. Ibabang Iyam, here.
Quezon police director Senior Supt. Osmundo de Guzman said suspects Efren de Castro and Francis de Gala, both residents of Bgy. Ibabang Iyam, suffered bullet wounds and died instantly.

Instead of giving up, De Guzman said the duo resisted arrest and traded shots with operatives of Lucena City Police Station under Supt. Reydante Ariza.

Prior to the shootout, Ariza said his men were conducting a buy-bust operation at said barangay whose target were the suspects.

After selling 0.26 grams of suspected shabu to a police, Ariza said the suspects subsequently sensed that they were transacting with a poseur-buyer.

This, according to Ariza, led to the bloody encounter that resulted in the death of both suspects.

“Our operatives were caught by surprise upon seeing the suspects as they pulled out revolvers and opened fire,” said Ariza.

Personnel of Quezon Provincial Crime Laboratory Office who processed the crime scene recovered two loaded cal. .38 revolvers used by the suspects.

During the regular meeting of Lucena City Advisory Council, Ariza, who reported on the city’s present situation, said there is no more supply of illegal drugs coming within the city.

“The remaining drug supplies now circulating in Lucena City are coming from other provinces like Cavite,” Ariza said.