A suspected big-time drug dealer was shot dead by police after allegedly shooting an undercover cop during an anti-drug operation in Barangay Tawala, Panglao on Saturday morning.

Police identified the fatality as Roger Apale, 39, a resident of Barangay Landican, Baclayon.

According to Panglao police chief Sr. Insp. Geronimo Conarco, Apale shot PO2 Nelson Macaraya in the stomach area after sensing that he was subjected to a drug buy-bust operation.

A police officer stationed near the operation area then fired back hitting Apale in the forehead.

Apale was still rushed to the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City but was declared dead on arrival.

Macaraya suffered a minor bruise on his stomach but the bullet shot by Apale failed to penetrate his bulletproof vest.

Conarco said that police found in Apale’s possession five sachets and one large pack of suspected shabu and the.45 caliber pistol used to shoot Macaraya.

Meanwhile, crime scene investigators found one more large pack of alleged shabu and a KG-9 machine pistol inside Apale’s room.

Police have yet to disclose the estimated amount of the seized drugs.

According to Conarco, Apale was placed under surveillance since March.

Apale was allegedly supplying illegal drugs in Baclayon and Panglao and nearby areas.

He was getting drug supply through contacts inside the Bohol District Jail (BDJ) who in turn facilitated the shipment of shabu into the province, said Conarco.

Various police units have repeatedly pinpointed some BDJ inmates, without divulging their identities, as the conduit between some drug dealers in Bohol and suppliers outside the province.

However, authorities have yet to disclose information regarding operations or investigations on BDJ detainees’ role in the local drug trade. (W. Maestrado)