One killed, another arrested in buy-bust operations

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay councilman in Danao City was killed in a drug bust while a separate operation in Barangay Kalunasan in Cebu City arrested a man with arrested and P60,500 worth of suspected shabu.

The barangay councilman died when he allegedly resisted arrest in an anti-illegal drugs operation Saturday evening. The fatality was identified as Amador Capin, a resident of Barangay Guinacot, Danao City.

The Danao City Police Station had earlier received information that Capin was allegedly engaged in illegal drug activities.

A surveillance operation was conducted on Capin and the report was confirmed.

Police Senior Inspector Alejandro Batobalonos, Chief of Danao City Police Station, said the suspect was told by their station to stop.

However, during an interrogation with arrested drug personalities, Capin's name came up, which led police to mount an operation against Capin.

Capin can allegedly dispose of more than 50 grams of shabu per week.

The operatives of Danao City Police Station together with the Regional Public Safety Batallion and Special Weapons and Tactics team conducted a buy-bust operation against Capin using P3,000 as buy-bust money on Saturday at 11:40 p.m.

When the operatives were about to arrest the suspect after the transaction was completed, the suspect allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot at the police.

This prompted the operatives to retaliate, hitting the suspect in different parts of his body. No one from the operatives was hit.

The suspect was rushed to Cebu Provincial Hospital in Danao City but he was declared dead on arrival.

Evidence recovered from the crime scene were a caliber . 45 pistol with four live ammunition, P320 cash believed to be proceeds from his drug deals, the P3,000 buy-bust money, one medium pack believed to be shabu weighing 2.2 grams valued at P25,960.

Meanwhile, in Cebu City, the anti-illegal drug campaign by Guadalupe Police Station resulted to the arrest of one individual during a buy-bust operation, yielding a total of P60,500 worth of suspected illegal-drugs.

The covert operation led by Police Senior Inspector Henry Orbiso and his team arrested Ronnel Mosqueda, 36, Sunday night at Sitio Kalubihan, Barangay Kalunasan after the suspect sold one small plastic pack suspected to be shabu.

After the transaction was concluded, police officers then rushed to the location after the police poseur-buyer gave the pre-meditated hand signal.

Police also seized seven small pieces and one medium pack of suspected illegal-drugs from the suspect during a body search.

All confiscated items of illegal-drugs were delivered to the Philippine National Police Crime Lab for further assessment.

The suspect is now detained at the Guadalupe Police Station pending the filing of appropriate charges against him. —/JBB (FREEMAN)