A suspected drug pusher fled from operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) during a buy-bust operation in Maguindanao province amid a flurry of gunshots from unknown elements, authorities reported over the weekend.

Undersecretary Arturo Cacdac Jr., PDEA director general, said that the subject of the operation, Taya Zailon, was able to elude arrest after he sold a sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, to a poseur-buyer in Sitio Panang, Barangay Salvo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

On December 6, 2012, an undercover agent of the PDEA Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) under Director Yogi Felimon Ruiz, who posed as buyer was able to enter into a drug transaction with Zailon and his cohort, identified as Mary Jane Kuka, age 32.

“After handing over the illegal drug to the poseur-buyer, Zailon sensed that he walked right into a trap and managed to escape. An exchange of gunfire ensued between PDEA operatives and unknown gunmen during the hot pursuit,” Cacdac said.

Kuka was apprehended and yielded to the authorities four sachets of shabu weighing approximately 15 grams, one caliber 45 pistol, one magazine assembly with pieces of live ammunition and assorted drug paraphernalia used in packing and sniffing of shabu.

Also arrested during the operation was a suspected drug user, identified as Cyrus Utto, who was seen present at the place of operation.

Cacdac said that the area of operation in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, is a known Moro Islamic Liberation Front stronghold. “My men were treading in treacherous territory, but lucky enough to emerge unscathed,” he said.

Zailon, who remains at-large and Kuka are now facing charges for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), in relation to Sec. 26 (Conspiracy to Sell) and Sec. 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article 2 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 before the Maguindanao Provincial Prosecution Office. Cases for violation of Sec. 1 (Illegal Possession of Firearms) of Act 8294 were also filed against them.

Meanwhile, a suspected pusher, included in the target list of the PDEA in Cagayan Valley, was arrested during a buy-bust operation on December 6, 2012.

Cacdac identified the suspect as Robert Ruiz, 47 years old, a fisherman and resident of Purok 8, Centro 3, Claveria, Cagayan province. He is a priority targeted drug personality in Cagayan.

Ruiz was apprehended by operatives of PDEA RO2 under Director Juvenal Azurin, at about 10 a.m.

The entrapment operation took place in Claveria, after an undercover PDEA agent who acted as buyer bought six plastic sachets of shabu from him.

When searched, Ruiz yielded another sachet of shabu and the P5,000 marked bills used as buy-bust money during the operation.

The suspect is presently under the custody of PDEA RO2 in Camp Adduru, Tuguegarao. Ruiz is now facing charges for violation of Sec. 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Sec.11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article 2 of Act 9165, otherwise known as The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.