Cops justify deaths of 2 drug suspects

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City police yesterday justified the killing of two suspected drug pushers and wounding of another suspect during a buy-bust operation Monday afternoon in Barangay Looc.

 Acting city police director Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc said it was a legitimate operation.

He said they conducted surveillance operations against the suspects before the buy-bust to confirm the reported illegal activities.

However, the buy-bust operation turned violent killing Marlon Ampatuan Yongco, 29, resident of Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, and Romeo Obligado Daleon, 30, resident of Barangay Looc, Lapu-Lapu City.

 Another suspect, Romulo Cabase Mahinay, 56, resident of Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City was wounded during the shootout.

Senior Inspector Rogelio Pineda Jr., chief of the intelligence bureau, said that PO3 Joseph Villamor acted as decoy. However, Villamor was allegedly fired upon by the suspects who apparently noticed of the ongoing operation.

Villamor’s colleagues who were pre-positioned in the area engaged the suspects who were already trying to escape on board a black Toyota sedan.

“Sa dihang nakita sa atong mga kaubanan nga nasamdan si PO3 Villamor, ang ilang gihimo mao ang pag-rescue kaniya ug pag-neutralize sa mga suspects,” said Pineda.

 Villamor sustained gunshot wound in the stomach. He is presently confined at a private hospital and is now in stable condition.

 Both Daleon and Yongco succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds while Mahinay suffered gunshot wound in his left foot.

Police tagged Daleon as level 2 drug pusher operating in Barangay Looc. He can reportedly dispose at least 200 grams of shabu every day.

The police seized two large sachets of shabu from Mahinay. There were also 13 packs retrieved from Daleon’s possession. A caliber .45 pistol was recovered from Yongco.

Radoc said the police are intensifying the campaign against suspected drug pushers and users operating in Lapu-Lapu City. Mayor Paz Radaza lauded Radoc’s performance and expressed her satisfaction over the official’s campaign against illegal drugs. — (FREEMAN)