1 dead in Lapu-Lapu anti-drug operation

CEBU, Philippines - A 26-year-old suspected drug suspect was shot dead after reportedly fighting it out with anti-drug operatives yesterday in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City.

Jolan Dela Cruz, a resident of Sitio Soong, Barangay Mactan, was died in the bushes of Sitio Mahayahay around 6:15 a.m. He sustained a gunshot wound on his left armpit, said Police Inspector Alden Zambrano of Pusok Police Station.

Prior to the incident, Zambrano said a concerned citizen called their office to inform them of an illegal drug activity happening in Sitio Mahayahay at that time.

Zambrano immediately deployed his group to conduct a buy-bust operation in the area after one of his police intelligence officers confirmed the report.

The entrapment led to the arrest of brothers Julius Malingin, 28, and Joselito Malingin, 31, both neighbors of Dela Cruz in Sitio Soong.

Police seized from Julius 12 small sachets of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, buy-bust money amounting P200 and alleged drug proceeds totaling P200 while another small sachet was confiscated from Joselito.

Dela Cruz, who emerged from a shanty adjacent to a small hut from where the brothers were found, was the last one to be arrested by police.

However, Dela Cruz reportedly aimed his firearm at one of the responding police officers. Police Officer 1 Vhenjie Pantuan saw the suspect's attempt and shot him in order to "neutralize the situation."

Dela Cruz managed to run away from the police while the latter chased him but he could not be found.

Minutes later, Zambrano said a resident of the area called the police, saying a dead body was found in a secluded area.

The responding police, together with homicide investigators from Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, went to the area and later identified the body as that of Dela Cruz.

Zambrano said they found two small sachets of reported shabu, a .38 caliber revolver with two deformed bullets near the body of Dela Cruz.

The Malingin siblings, meanwhile, are detained in LCPO holding cell and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)