Ex-con killed in police anti-drug sting

ILOILO CITY — Another suspected drug pusher was added to the growing list of persons killed in alleged shootout with police operatives during drug busts.

Elpidio Geroy, alias Budiong, died on the spot when hit after he allegedly fought it out with police operatives who were about to arrest him Thursday evening at Barangay Jereos in La Paz district of Iloilo City.

Geroy suffered four gunshot injuries on the chest and both arms. He allegedly tried to shoot members of the La Paz Police Station who tried to arrest him after an undercover police agent bought a sachet of shabu from him.

Chief Inspector Hilarion Roga of the PNP Regional Crime Laboratory said the suspect's gun jammed as evidenced by a clogged bullet on the .45-caliber pistol, which was recovered from Geroy's possession.

Police also recovered a .9mm pistol, a homemade 12-gauge shotgun, firearm magazines and ammunition magazine, and P15,000 cash.

Police accounts claimed Geroy just got out of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City for a murder charge. He then allegedly worked for Rolando Torpio, who is ranked fifth in the Iloilo City Police Office watchlist of illegal drug personalities.

Meanwhile, Geroy's alleged cohort, Christopher Paredes, was arrested physically unscathed.

It can be noted that Geroy is the 10th drug personality in Western Visayas who was killed after the PNP launched an aggressive campaign against illegal drugs starting July 1. —