Three killed, 41 nabbed in police operations

CEBU, Philippines — At least three persons were killed and 41 were arrested in separate police operations against illegal drugs in Region 7.

In Bohol, two died and 32 persons were arrested in a simultaneous implementation of search warrants and buy-bust operations by Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) yesterday morning.

The fatalities were identified as Joel Olalo, legal age, a resident of Barangay Suba, Anda, Bohol, and Eddie Vaño, legal age, a resident of Barangay Bicao, Carmen Bohol.  They are both considered high-value targets.

The two suspects were killed in a shootout during the raid after they allegedly tried to engage in a firefight with the operating team who implemented the search warrants.

Police Regional Office (PRO) – 7 deputy regional director for Operations Senior Superintendent Angelito Dumangeng said that as Enhance Management Police Operations (EMPO) was launched yesterday, BPPO was able to get 33 search warrants against personalities involved in illegal activities.

The police were also able to seize a total of 155 small packs, 14 medium packs and three big packs of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P92,200.

A total of 17 loose firearms and a hand grenade were also confiscated while three persons with pending warrant of arrest were arrested.

“We are not wavering our operations para makuha itong mga drug personalities dito sa Central Visayas,” said Dumangeng.

On Wednesday afternoon, an alleged drug pusher was also killed during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Cansojong, Talisay City conducted by the Cebu Provincial Police Office Drug Enforcement Unit and Provincial Intelligence Branch.

The fatality was identified as Socrates Dakay, 35, while his suspected cohort, Marlon Navarro, was arrested by the operatives.

Dakay allegedly tried to escape after sensing that he was transacting with authorities and fired at the operatives which prompted them to retaliate that resulted in the death of the suspect.

Recovered from the suspect were suspected shabu worth P1.3 million and a caliber 45 handgun.

 In a related development, P900,000 worth of illegal drugs were seized in different buy-bust operations conducted by Cebu City policemen in several barangays in Cebu City.

At 4:10 p.m., Talamban Police Station conducted a buy-bust operation in Sitio Cabadbaran, Barangay Sirao and arrested Ariel Leorag, 23, of Sitio Cabadbaran, Barangay Sirao.

According to Police Senior Inspector Alvin Llamedo, the subject has been under surveillance for a long time.

Police also arrested Roy Patalinghug, 33, who was in the area during the operation.

Seized were illegal drugs with an estimated value of P134,000.

In Barangay Tinago, police arrested one Christian "Reyrey" Torres, 39, in a buy-bust operation conducted by San Nicholas Police Station last Tuesday.

Seized were several packs of shabu estimated to worth P768,000.

Parian Police Station also conducted a buy-bust operation and arrested five suspected drug personalities identified as Charmaine Lisondra who is the subject of the operation, Rufflyn Rosell, 25, Thomas Cirujano, 29, and two minors.

The two minors were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Region 7 (DSWD -7).

Seized during the operation were  several packs of shabu worth P150,000. —  Jeffrey Legara, USJ-R intern/MBG (FREEMAN)