Mob helps drug suspects elude arrest

An alleged drug pusher managed to escape with the help of some relatives and neighbors who came to his rescue and started harassing the policemen.

The incident happened in Villagonzalo II, barangay Tejero last Saturday dawn during a saturation drive against all forms of criminal activities by members of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office past 2 a.m.

Policemen led by PO3 Cesar Pandong spotted six men doing a pot session in a small shanty, prompting them to move in.

They first accosted the suspected drug pusher identified only as “Toto” who was found with four packs of suspected shabu after being searched.

While they were handcuffing the man, the other police officers approached the other five men who were still inside the shanty but then about ten people appeared and started to gather around the policemen, allowing the five men to escape.

While the rest of the policemen gave chase, more people surrounded PO1 Ruben Quita who was still guarding Toto and PO2 Benigno Andrew Ilagan called his men back to Quita’s side.

But as Ilagan approached them, Toto reportedly pulled out a .45 cal. pistol and pulled the trigger, but the gun misfired and the suspect was able to escape in the ensuing chaos.  — Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP