MANILA, Philippines – This house on Barangay 26 in Caloocan City isn’t the usual place of abode that you see in depressed areas. The alleged haven for drug users, which can be used for free if they buy narcotics from the house owner, is surrounded by closed-circuit television cameras and has a door with a one-way mirror.
On Monday, July 3, authorities from the Northern Police District’s Special Operations Unit carried out a buy-and-bust operation against 29-year-old Jeffrey Salvador alias Jeporang, the alleged drug pusher-house owner, killing him and his suspected courier identified as 27-year-old Rusty Pucan alias Taratitat.
After sensing that they were transacting with undercover agents, Salvador and Pucan pulled their guns on the policemen, prompting the latter to fight back, according to Police Officer 2 Arnel de Guzman.
“Pag abot no’ng item, pag abot ng pera sa subject, nakita yata na pulis, nagbunutan na,” De Guzman said.
Authorities found firearms and substances believed to be shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) scattered all over the place.
Neighbors claim that Salvador and Pucan were not only drug pushers but also thieves.
“Magnanakaw po dito. Tinitira ‘yong mga gamit dito, mga bike, damit, mga silver [They were known as thieves here. They stole personal belongings, bicycles, clothes, things made of silver],” a female resident said.
The remains of the two were brought to Eusebio Funeral Services in Malabon City. De Guzman said police investigators were looking into the incident.
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