"Drug courier" killed in Argao

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged drug courier was killed while walking at a dim portion of Arellano St. in sitio Looc, barangay Poblacion, Argao yesterday dawn.

In another incident, several plastic packs of illegal drugs worth some P90,000 were confiscated during a saturation drive at barangay Cogon, Cordova last Wednesday afternoon.

In Argao, Recarte Vega, 39, of sitio Media, barangay Poblacion sustained a gunshot wound in the left part of his chest. He was taken to the Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Police investigation revealed that Vega was walking when an unidentified man approached him and blocked his way. Without saying a word, the man shot him once.

Vega ran towards J.P. Rizal St. and asked assistance from bystanders but he suddenly collapsed. The suspect fled on foot.

Inspector Wilbert Parilla, Argao police chief, said it’s hard for them to identify the perpetrator since no one came forward to testify.

But the police, during investigation, learned from the victim’s neighbors that Vega was a drug courier aside from having been linked to burglaries.

Parilla also said the victim was involved in four shooting incidents before he was killed.

“Mao ni among problema ngari dapita kay naay pinusilay walay mo-testigo maong maglisod mig sulbad sa kaso,” he said.

Last year, the brother of Vega was also shot dead but Vega refused to stand as witness.

In the Cordova incident, several plastic packs of illegal drugs worth P90,000 were seized during a saturation drive at barangay Cogon Wednesday afternoon.

Jimboy Abanez, 21, was arrested by the policemen while his cohort is still at large and remains unidentified.

The policemen recovered 23 small packs of illegal drugs in his possession. Seven small packs were found scattered on the roadside.

The items confiscated were taken to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory at Camp Sotero Cabahug for chemical analysis.

Policemen were informed of the rampant illegal activities in the said barangay including illegal cockfighting, illegal gambling, and the illegal drug trade.

A team led by Inspector Jonas Tajanlangit, Cordova police chief, went to the area in civilian clothes and spotted the two men beside the road, allegedly exchanging plastic packs of shabu.

The police approached the two, who tried to flee upon sensing their presence. But PO2 Manfred Maarat and PO1 Noem Rosellosa chased them.

The police cornered Abanez but his companion successfully eluded arrest after running towards a crowded area.

Policemen recovered the 23 small packs of illegal drugs inside a matchbox from Abanez, who is detained in the Cordova police stockade waiting for charges to be filed.  (FREEMAN)