Drug suspect shot dead in Barili

CEBU, Philippines - Cristituto “Roel” Barcenilla, of Barangay Esperanza, Aloguinsan town, but temporarily residing in Barangay Tubod, was shot in the chest several times by PO3 Michael Cortes.

Cristituto was taken to the Barili District Hospital but was already dead when he got there.

Those who were arrested were identified as Vincent Genelaso, 20, of Barangay Valencia, Carcar City; Cristituto’s 17-year-old son and his father, Patrocinio Barcenilla, 75, of Barangay Lawaan III, Talisay City.

They are now detained at the Barili stockade pending the filing of charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Seized from them was the P500 marked money, three small packets of shabu, P1,920 believed to be drug money, assorted drug paraphernalia, a .45 cal. pistol with five rounds, 21 additional .45 cal. rounds and 10 12-gauge shotgun rounds.

A driver’s license with the name Allanlee Lacho Navares of Barangay Paril, Barili; a brown backpack and three pouch bags were also recovered.

The confiscated drugs were taken to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 in Camp Sotero Cabahug, Cebu City, for chemical analysis.

Barili police chief Insp. Arvi Arbuis said they carried out the operation past noon. It was PO1 Florentino Cuadero Jr. who handed over the cash to Barcenilla in exchange for two small packets of shabu.

After the transaction was successfully made, Cuadero signaled his teammates who rushed to the house where the deal was made but Barcenilla pulled out his .45 cal. pistol and shot at Cortes twice but missed.

Cortes returned fire and hit Barcenilla.

Arbuis said Barcenilla was a Level 2 drug pusher.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador said based on the information they received, Barcenilla was allegedly a member of the notorious Kuratong Baleleng kidnap group, but this could not be confirmed yet.

“Pero sa akong anticipation ani, purely illegal drugs lang gyud ni ang grupo,” Comendador said.

Comendador said he has directed the Barili police to submit their special report to the headquarters for the proper commendation of the policemen involved in the operation.  — (FREEMAN)