CEBU, Philippines - A suspected drug pusher died after he engaged in a shootout with operatives of the Regional Special Operations Group who were serving a search warrant in Sitio Sariling, Barangay Sto Niño, Malabuyoc town past 8:00 p.m. last Saturday.
Edward “Waddie” Quiñanola, 40, sustained three gunshot wounds in his chest and was declared dead on arrival when he was brought to Malabuyoc District Hospital.
Quiñanola was tagged as a big time drug pusher who focused his operation in southern Cebu.
Nancy del Castillo, 36, of M.J. Cuenco, Barangay Tejero, Quiñanola’s live-in, was arrested after police recovered several packs of shabu from her.
The operation was made possible through a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 60 Judge Leopoldo Cañete.
Police recovered two caliber .45 pistols, three caliber .38 revolvers, a caliber .357 revolver and several rounds of ammunition from the area, as well as two big packs and a small pack of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia and four mobile phones from the area.
The confiscated shabu is said to be worth P100,000 based on Dangerous Drugs Board estimate but the actual selling price is reportedly much higher than this amount.
Supt. Rex Derilo, RSOG chief, said in a press conference that the suspect operates in Alegria, Malabuyoc, Ginatilan, Samboan and Santander. He said a pusher can be considered “big time” if he or she operates in at least five municipalities.
“Sa iyang operation, if you are covering three to five municipalities dako na gyud ni iyang source, you cannot be Level 2 if you are nobody in the illegal trade,” Derilo said.
Derilo added that the suspect has been under surveillance for a month and authorities applied for a search warrant after they confirmed his involvement in the drug trade.
RSOG and members of the Malabuyoc Police then went to the suspect’s house in Sitio Sariling, Barangay Sto. Niño at past 8:00 p.m. last Saturday.
Authorities said Quiñanola was in his room and fired his caliber .45 pistol at them, prompting them to fire back and hit the suspect three times in the chest.
Del Castillo said authorities brought her downstairs when the exchange of fire ensued to keep her safe.
“Wala na ko paghitabo kay gipakanaog ko kay gi-safety naman ko nila og una kay nagnilayogay man sila,” del Castillo said.
She said she and Quiñanola have been living together for four months and she has since been asking him to leave the illegal drugs trade. Quiñanola reportedly told her he would stop soon.
“Gibuyag na man na nako. Wala gyud manumbaling… ana siya unya na kuno,” she added.
Derilo said Quiñanola even told the local police he would not let them capture him alive. His death, Derilo said, serves as a stern warning to drug personalities.
He added that they take extra precaution each time they carry out an operation but will not hesitate to neutralize the subject if there is imminent danger on the lives of policemen.
Del Castillo is facing charges for violating Section 11 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (FREEMAN)