Cops kill alleged No. 1 drug lord in Iloilo City

The alleged No. 1 drug lord in Iloilo City was killed during a police operation on Friday.

According to a report by Rudje Mar Sucaldito for GMA Super Radyo 1323, the suspect was identified as Richard Prevendido.

Prevendido is reportedly the head of the Prevendido Group, one of the two major drug groups in Iloilo. The police were serving a warrant of arrest when the shooting took place as Prevendido resisted arrest.

The incident took place at Landheights subdivision in Barangay Balabago, Jaro in Iloilo.

The police were serving a warrant of arrest for alleged violation of provisions of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 when the shooting took place.

Based on initial information from Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, Police Regional Office Region 6 spokesperson, the joint operation was conducted by PNP Regional Intelligence Division 6 (RID-6) led by Police Supt. Julius Balano, Police Insp. Jigger Gimeno, Iloilo Provincial Police Office led by Police Senior Supt. Marlon Tayaba and Police Chief Insp. Jonathan Pinuela, Iloilo City Police Office, Jaro Police Station led by Police Senior Insp. Tranquilino Querubin under the direct supervision of the Regional Director Police Regional Office and the Deputy Regional Director for Operations to serve a warrant of arrest against Richard Prevendido alias Buang.

However, as the team was met by a volley of gunfire coming from the suspect that resulted to a firefight.

As a result Richard Prevendido and Jason Prevendido, who was identified through an identification card, were killed.

The police has recovered on Friday evening, one AK45 Assault rifle, two caliber 45 guns, bladed weapons, and sachets of suspected shabu.

The police are presently conducting an investigation on the incident.

Espenido transfer

The incident comes on the heels of the transfer of Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido as officer-in-charge of Iloilo City Police Office.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday announced that  Espenido would soon be the chief of police of Iloilo City.

Espenido was the chief of police of Ozamis City when Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog was killed in a raid on the Parojinog family compound in August.

He was also the chief of police of Albuera, Leyte when Mayor Rolando Espinosa was arrested in October 2016 for his alleged involvement in drugs.

Espinosa was later killed in November while in detention at a sub-provincial jail. —Bernadette A. Parco/JST, GMA News