‘Pusher’ shot dead; mom, bro nabbed

CEBU, Philippines - A suspected drug pusher was killed while his live-in partner was injured in an alleged shootout with the members of Ronda and Alcantara police units early morning yesterday in Barangay Libuo, Ronda.

Suspect Joseph Fuentes allegedly opened fire at the operatives and attempted to throw a hand grenade at the policemen.

This prompted them to shoot Fuentes that resulted in his instantaneous death while his live in partner, Divina Antojado, was wounded in the right ankle.  She was taken to the Ronda District Hospital for treatment.

Fuentes’ mother, Lolita, and his sibling, Lito were nabbed by the police. His other sibling, Victor, eluded arrest.

The Moalboal police team led by Insp. James Conaco was armed with an arrest warrant for direct assault upon agent of person in authority against Lito issued by Dumanjug Municipal Circuit Trial Court Judge Anaclito Debalucos and another warrant also for direct assault upon agent of person in authority against Joseph issued by Moalboal MCTC Judge Cristine Muga-Abad.

Ronda police team led by its chief, Insp. Reuben Renes, on the other hand,  was armed with a search warrant for Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and an arrest warrant for kidnapping, serious illegal detention and carnapping against Lolita and Victor, respectively.

Both warrants were issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 60 Judge Leopoldo Cañete.

Conaco told The FREEMAN that the two teams simultaneously raided the houses of the suspects around 5:00a.m.

Renes’ team arrested Lolita but Victor escaped through a door at the back of the house.

Police recovered assorted drug paraphernalia, two small packs of shabu, cellular phones, pieces of jewelry, and P2,000 cash.

Conaco said his team approached Lito and Joseph and introduced themselves as cops but Joseph fired two shots.

“Akong gibira akong tao kay hapit maigo,” Conaco said in a phone interview.

A shootout ensued that resulted in the death of Joseph.

Police recovered 32 small packs of shabu, drug paraphernalia, a firearm loaded with several bullets and a fragmentation grenade.

Appropriate charges will be filed against the suspects who are now detained at the Ronda Police Station. (FREEMAN)