TACLOBAN CITY – The alleged bagman of self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa was killed in a drug bust in Ormoc City Monday where operatives also seized suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P10.2 million
Police identified the suspect as Allan Bulahan, 37, a resident of Linao village in Ormoc City, who died in a firefight with operatives of the Police Regional Drug Enforcement Unit in Tambulilid village.
During the operation, the poseur buyer managed to purchase from Bulahan four plastic sachets containing shabu valued at P100,000.
“An armed encounter ensued after the suspect sensed the approach of the operating team, immediately drew his firearm and fired, prompting the operating team to defend themselves. The suspect sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to Ormoc District Hospital for medical intervention but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician,” the Police Regional Office said in its report.
Seized during the operation was at least 1.5 kg. of shabu, which according to Ormoc police was the largest volume of illegal drugs confiscated so far in the city.
Police also recovered from the slain suspect two digital weighing scales, a metal spoon, and a bundle of empty plastic wrappers.
During a body search at the hospital, operatives also recovered P100,000 from the suspect’s pocket.
Ormoc city police chief Col. Nelvin Ricohermoso said the suspect has been categorized as a “high-value” individual and traced as Kerwin Espinosa’s bagman.
Espinosa is currently detained in Camp Bagong Diwa jail in Taguig.
Kerwin is the son of slain Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was killed in a raid inside his detention cell in Baybay City, Leyte on Nov. 5, 2016. (PNA)
