CEBU, Philippines - An alleged drug pusher was killed while his brother was wounded in a shootout with policemen during a buy-bust operation conducted jointly by operatives of the Dalaguete Police Station and the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) in Barangay Balud, Dalaguete town yesterday dawn.
PO3 Renaldo Solante, team leader of the operation, told The FREEMAN that Joseph Gañolon, 27, of Barangay Nalhug, was shot after he allegedly fired shots at the police.
Joseph’s younger brother “Jojo,” who was the subject of the operation, was also hurt. He sustained a gunshot wound to his right thigh.
Brian Carale, 23, of Barangay Balud, and Beloriano Heredia, 23, of Barangay Nalhug, who police said were drug pushers, were also arrested.
They have been under surveillance since June following reports of their illegal drug operations in Dalaguete and surrounding towns.
The eight-member team reportedly surrounded Joseph minutes before the illegal drugs transaction was made at around 6:45 p.m.
Solante said one of their colleagues who posed as buyer was already in front of Renaldo’s house when the suspect noticed their presence and started shooting.
“Ang among poseur-buyer naa na sa atubangan sa balay, unay kami mi-position sa luyo sa balay, mi-gawas ma ni og kalit si Joseph ug nakabantay nga police - namusil dayon,” said Solante. (The buyer was in front of the house while we were at the back. Joseph noticed our presence and started shooting.)
Policemen scampered for cover after two gunshots from Joseph’s .357 revolver barely missed a policeman. The team had no choice but to return fire at Joseph, who sustained gunshot wounds to different parts of his body.
He died while being rushed to the Dalaguete District Hospital. His brother was taken to Cebu City for medical attention.
When Joseph fell on the ground in front of his house, the team immediately stormed inside and apprehended his brother, Carale and Heredia.
But Jojo, Carale and Heredia denied allegations that they are into illegal drug trade. But Jojo claimed his brother was the only one involved in the illegal activity.
“Dili ko mo angkon ana nga nagpayuhot ko’g drogas, akong igsuon ra gyud ana. Kabaw ko ana, wala panay tuig ang pagpamaligya sa akong igsuon, mo lakaw rana siya, unya pagbalik niya naa na siya’y dala nga drogas,” Jojo told The Freeman. (I am not into the illegal drug trade. But my brother has been in the illegal business for a year now.)
Three large packs, two medium-sized packs and 36 small sachets of white crystalline substance believed to be shabu were recovered from the house of Joseph. The seized drugs cost around P120, 000.
Several drug paraphernalia, three .357 revolvers, a .45 pistol, live ammunitions, an electronic scale and several money transfer receipts and P2, 000 cash were recovered from the house. A live hand grenade concealed in a book was also seized, as well as three notebooks containing various lists of names and “collectibles.”
Solante also told The Freeman they are investigating the group’s connections in Moalboal and Cebu City, where almost P500,000 was transferred since early this year.
The group’s illegal operations have allegedly reached the towns of Argao and Alcoy in the east and Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian and Alegria in the west.
Dalaguete Police Chief Insp. Bonifacio Dela Cerna considers the suspects as big-time drug pushers who have been operating in their area for quite some time.
Meanwhile, Lexel “Lecto” Kiamko, 37, of Sitio Malacarong, Barangay Usmad and Nicanor “Pacio” Parantar, 40, of Sitio Poblacion, Argao were also apprehended in a separate buy-bust operation conducted by elements of Argao Police Station Friday afternoon.
Seven small of packs of white crystalline substance and the P500-marked money were seized from the two suspects.
According to P02 Bobby Naces of Argao police, one of their colleagues posed as a buyer. When Parantar finally accepted the marked money, a group of policemen immediately apprehended him.
Kiamko rushed outside of the house to check on Parantar. To his surprise, he was also arrested as he had a .45 caliber pistol tucked on his waist. Police also found seven packs of what could be shabu when he was frisked.
The two suspects from Argao are currently detained at Argao Police Station while the four men from Dalaguete are at the CCPO detention cell. - Ryan Christopher J. Sorote/JPM (FREEMAN)