The murder of a known anti-drugs cop raised several speculations revolving his operations against drug personalities in the province.

Twelve empty shells were recovered from the crime scene where SPO1 Rolex Tamarra was shot dead in front of the Sambog Cockpit Arena in Cortella town Sunday evening.

Tamarra who was a high profile cop to be arresting drug suspects was also heard to have alleged connections with some personalities in the drug operations in pursuit of his campaign against drugs.

The slain cop who hails from Panglao was in several drug apprehensions including one where observers were surprised when the seized shabu turned out to be declared later as “tawas.”

Police said the anti-drug policeman was the target of the two motorcycle gunmen who shot him dead right at the entrance of the cockpit arena. He sustained several gunshot wounds in his chest and head causing his instantaneous death, according to PO2 Renato Sinajon of the Corella PNP.

Operatives recovered 12 shells from a .45 caliber firearm and a deformed slug of a .38 caliber pistol, six live ammunition.

Investigators are looking closely on drug personalities as behind the murder of the cop.

A check amounting to P2 million named under Jinilda Malaay dated Aug. 15, 2016 was found in the victim’s pocket.

Police said the check was released to Malaay from a firm where victims of a fraudulent business transactions were asked to claim their deposited amount with the said bank.  The slain cop reportedly helped Malaay get her claim from the firm’s office.

Meanwhile, an alleged big-time drug pusher who yielded 25 grams of suspected shabu was shot dead in a buy-bust operation conducted by the City PNP in barangay Booy yesterday.

The suspect, Edgar Sarmiento, 25, fired his .38 caliber pistol causing operatives to fire back, killing the alleged pusher, He fired suspecting the he sold drugs to a police poseur.buyer.  The undercover police was able to purchase P500 worth of shabu from Sarmiento.

The sezied 25 grams of shabu was worth P250,000.00.

Also seized from the suspect who is a resident of Mansasa district, this city was his firearm with four live ammunition and a fired shell but was still lodged inside the gun’s barrel.

Apprehended with the suspect were his companions, Rio Joy Magparo, 24 and Juvy Buglao, 20 believed to be Sarmiento’s girlfriend.