A self-confessed drug pusher who had previously surrendered to authorities and vowed to stop illegal drugs involvement was shot dead in Valencia at 11pm yesterday.
The victim, Jonaler Palaca, 28 and a resident of Brgy Loctob in the said town, sustained 10 gunshot wounds spread throughout his body which resulted in his death.
According to PO2 Carlo Pangon of the Valencia Police Station, Palaca was sitting on a motorcycle parked near a waiting shed in Brgy. Canduwao when an unidentified gunman repeatedly shot him with a 9mm pistol.
Residents in the barangay said that the incident took place in a dark area while the street where the crime was committed was likely to be empty at that time of the night.
They discovered Palanca’s lifeless body sprawled over his motorcycle after several gunshots prompted them to go outside their houses and investigate.
Police recovered money worth P10,000 and suspected drug paraphernalia including an aluminum foil upon searching Palaca’s body.
Valencia authorities noted that Palaca was a known drug pusher in the town and was facing charges for violating Section 11 and Section 12 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 filed last year.
According to PO2 Pangon, Palaca continued to peddle drugs after yielding to Valencia police and pledging to cut his involvement in illegal drug activities as a result of Oplan Tokhang.
Other than the victim, Pangon said that there are more drug personalities in Valencia who surrendered to police but remain involved in drug activities. (with reports from Allen Doydora)