Dalaguete police chief shoots armed “pusher”

CEBU, Philippines - Dalaguete Police Chief Insp. Dexter Basirgo shot and injured a suspected drug pusher during a buy-bust operation last Wednesday evening in the mountain barangay of Mantalongon, Dalaguete.

Crispin Gablines, 27, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, was injured in the thigh after he was shot by Insp. Basirgo. Gablines reportedly tried to draw the .38 revolver tucked into his waistline.

“Nihana man na siya ug bunot sa armas. Wa mi mahimo kay sa kami ang maigo. Police are only allowed to shoot if the suspect, who is armed and dangerous, would resist the arrest. (He tried to draw his firearm. We had no choice to avoid being shot), Basirgo said.

Gablines, who was the subject of  the operation, was reportedly included in the Regional Intelligence Division’s watch list of drug personalities.

Police carried out the operation at 10:00p.m. in Gablines’s shanty in Sitio Lahug.

Police used P300 marked money in exchange for a small packet of shabu from Gablines. The poseur buyer successfully consummated the transaction and signaled for the arrest of Gablines.

Gablines noticed the police and was about to draw his revolver but Basirgo shot him first. Gablines fell into a ravine and was able to hide.

With the help of the barangay officials, Gablines was arrested about 100 to 150 meters away from the scene.

Also arrested during the buy-bust operation were Noli Rodrigo, 28, and Alvin Gutierrez, 22, both also from the said barangay.

Police seized from the suspects three small packets and a medium packet of shabu as well as the .38 revolver with two bullets.

Information regarding the illegal activity of the suspects was validated by the police with the help of the Regional Public Safety Battalion and some concerned citizens in the area.

Police took Gablines to the Julio Cardinal Rosales Memorial Hospital for treatment and was transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

Police are preparing charges for violating Sections 5, 11 and 12 of RA 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Illegal Possession of Firearms against Gablines.

Another case for Section 11 or RA 9165 will also be filed against Rodrigo and Gutierrez.

The suspects are now temporarily detained at the Dalaguete Police Station.  (FREEMAN)