MANILA, Philippines – A suspected drug pusher was killed near the university belt in Manila before dawn Thursday.

Superintendent James Afalla, Manila Police District Station 3 chief, said they were supposed to arrest 2 suspected drug pushers in a buy-bust operation along Recto Avenue Extension at around 1 a.m.

Afalla, however, said the unidentified suspect fired shots after learning that his buyer, who was carrying a gun, was an undercover police. The suspect’s colleague was able to escape.

“Nakitaan daw ng baril so nagkaroon ng encounter, at nakatakas yung isa,” Afalla said.

Police recovered 2 sachets of cocaine from the slain suspect.

The suspect was shot dead beside his car, which was registered under a certain Melissa Constantino.

A driver’s license under the name of a certain Redford Saguin was also found from the suspect.

Police have launched an investigation to identify other drug pushers in the area, where many dormitories of college students are located. – report from Francis Faulve, ABS-CBN News