Camp Vicente Lim, Laguna—A barangay councilor listed as a high value target by the Laguna police on its drug watchlist was killed in an encounter with police in Victoria town on Monday.
Laguna Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Joel Pernito identified the councilor as Estelito Victoria, who served Barangay Daniw in Victoria.
Pernito said Victoria was on the top priority list of their anti-drug Operation Double Barrel, and was arrested last July 1. He was charged for Violation of Sec. 11 and 12 of Art II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, but got out on bail and continued to sell illegal drugs, the provincial police chief added.
Pernito said they conducted a buy-bust operation against Victoria at Daniw, but the suspect sensed he was dealing with an intelligence officer and fired at PO2 Noel Hacutina Jr., team leader of the police squad, wounding the officer on his left arm.
Victoria was brought to Laguna Medical Center after the encounter, but was declared dead on arrival.
Hacutina, on the other hand, was conferred the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting by PRO Calabarzon Chief Supt. Valfrie Tabian on visiting the wounded policeman at the hospital.