A policeman shot dead a 45-year-old suspect in a drug buy-bust operation in Guimbal, Iloilo.

The incident took place in Barangay Igcocolo, Guimbal town on October 4, 2025.

According to Guimbal Municipal Police, the drug suspects – alias “Rogelio” and alias “Noel” – resisted when they knew later on they were transacting with operatives.

“Bigla niyang nilabanan ang isang backup operative at may grappling na nangyari. Na-overpower siya ng operatives kaya kinuha niya ang granada sa sling bag at inihagis,” said Lt. Ronie Saldevia, deputy chief of Guimbal Municipal Police Station.

Alias “Noel” sustained a gunshot wound on the chest. He was rushed to the hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

“Prinoteksyunan niya rin ang buhay niya (operatiba) kasi nakita niya na kumuha ng granada ang isang subject,” Saldevia added.

Alias “Rogelio," the other suspect, was earlier monitored to have sold illegal drugs in Tigbauan town and its neighboring municipalities.

Seized from the suspects are suspected shabu worth over P60,000.

Noel’s family blamed “Rogelio” for tagging Noel along in his illegal transactions.

“Sabi nga niya na palagi siyang niyayaya na ihatid siya. Nagse-service lang siya. Kahit paano, para lang sa kita. Wala naman kasi siyang trabaho. Namamasada lang siya (ng habal-habal). Hiwalay na kasi siya sa asawa,” alias “Bel,” a sibling of Noel, said.

However, the two suspects are not in the BADAC list, or the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council, according to the barangay chairman.

“Araw-araw, bumabyahe lang siya. Iyan lang ang kanyang ikinabubuhay,” said Salvador Layoso, chairman of Barangay Cansilayan, Tigbauan town.