By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A high-ranking member of the Divinagracia drug group, which operates throughout the Negros Occidental third congressional district, was killed Thursday night during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 2, EB Magalona.

Police identified the fatality as 38-year-old Noel ‘Ampatuan’ Bolivar, a resident of Barangay Tabigue in the said town.

Based on a report by the EB Magalona municipal police, Bolivar was tagged as a high-value drug target and the most wanted drug suspect in town.

EB Magalona municipal police chief, Police Senior Inspector Jaynick Bermudes, said they were forced to open fire after Bolivar reportedly fought against police officers.

Bolivar sustained five gunshot wounds across his body.

Cops recovered a loaded .45 caliber pistol from the suspect’s remains./DGB, WDJ