Drug suspect denies shootout with police

CEBU, Philippines - A drug suspect who was injured in Monday's alleged shooting with policemen in Barangay Looc, Lapu-Lapu City denied that he and his companions shot it out with the lawmen.

Romulo Cabase, 56, in an interview, said Police Officer 3 Joseph Villamor and his colleagues from Lapu-Lapu City Police Office suddenly opened fire at their vehicle.

The incident killed Cabase's companions - Magno Yongco, Jr., 30, and Romeo Daleon, 30.

Cabase said that Yongco, who drove their vehicle, was maneuvering a turn to the highway when a non-uniformed policeman, whom he later identified as Villamor, suddenly blocked their way and pointed a gun at them.

"Nilili ko, daghan pa diay siyang kauban. Nagpadaplin si Villamor unya ang iyang mga kauban nituyok unya girakrakan mi," Cabase alleged.

Sustaining wounds to legs and hand, Cabase managed to get out of the vehicle, waived his hand and pleaded to police to stop firing, telling them that he is not involved in any illegal drug activity.

"Giduol pa gyud kong Villamor gitamakan akong samad sa tiil. Girikisa ko unya gikuha pa gyud akong P6 ug charger sa bulsa. Lagot kay ko niya," said Cabase, who posted a P200,000 bail for a drug charge filed by police against him.

He said that as a job, he cleans Yongco's car and that he went with him that night because he thought Yongco would give him money.

"Gikan man ko nanglimpyo sa iyang sakyanan unya iya kong giingnan na kuyog nako, sobra pa. Nikuyog sad ko kay abi ko og suhol na sa pagpanglimpyo," Cabase narrated.

He denied being involved in illegal drugs.

Yongco's live-in partner, Neri Awayan, 26, said they will file a case against the police as soon as Yongco's sister arrives from Dubai.

"Grabe ilang gibuhat sa akong bana, di lalim labina naa mi duha ka anak. Buotan nang akong bana, relihiyoso pa g'yud gani," Awayan said.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office acting director Armando Radoc said the incident was a legitimate buy-bust operation against the suspects.

Villamor was wounded in the stomach in the alleged shootout.  (FREEMAN)