Man wounded, two nabbed in drug bust

CEBU, Philippines - A 37-year-old man is in critical condition after he was allegedly shot by Medellin town Police Chief Senior Inspector Christopher Fernandez in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Lamintak Norte yesterday morning.

Nemesis Victoria, 37, of Naval, Leyte, sustained two gunshot wounds in his chest and stomach and had to be brought to the hospital immediately.

Alvin Golisao, 33, a suspected drug pusher and his suspected cohort Eduardo Canales, 37, both of  Lamintak Norte, were arrested after several packs of suspected shabu and firearms were recovered from their possession.

Past 6 a.m. yesterday, Medellin police conducted the operation in the barangay after receiving numerous reports that Golisao has been selling illegal drugs in the area.

Lamintak  Norte is said to be celebrating its fiesta resulting to the sudden rise of demand from Golisao’s customers.

Police learned that Golisao does not transact in his house, instead, he usually meets his clients in the woods together with his cohorts.

Police officers headed by Fernandez headed to the woods and a poseur buyer transacted with the suspect for two packs of shabu worth P500.

When the poseur buyer signaled that the transaction was done, police officers swooped down on the suspects.

Victoria sensed that they were trapped by the police officers and tried to pull his firearm, police said.

Fernandez, seeing the suspect was drawing his gun, wasted no time and shot him several times using an armalite riffle.

Golisao and Canales, seeing Victoria down, peacefully surrendered to the police officers.

Police recovered 80 small packs of suspected shabu from Golisao worth to be around P80,000.

They also recovered 357 cal. revolver with four ammunitions and .38 cal. revolver with five ammunitions and a 22 cal. pistol from the suspects.

Golisao is included in the local police’s watchlist and is known to be a drug personality in Medellin.

Golisao will be facing charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Article 2 of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and for violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunitions.

Victoria and Canales will be facing charges for violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunitions. — Bryner L. Diaz/JMD (FREEMAN)