2 men killed, one hurt in attacks on ‘pushers’

CEBU, Philippines - Two men were killed while another one was wounded in separate attacks by unidentified men that the police said targeted victims who were allegedly engaged in the illegal drug trade in Lapu-Lapu City.

First to fall was Jerome Daitol, 29, who was driving his motorcycle (GF 6017) in Sitio New Sangi Road, Barangay Pajo around 9:30 p.m. last Tuesday when fired upon by an unidentified gunman.

Senior Police Officer 2 Allan Pantaleon, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-Homicide Section investigator, said Daitol, who suffered two gunshot wounds to the back, was rushed to the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital but did not make it there alive.

Daitol was in the drug personality watchlist of Gun-ob Police Station. Recovered at the scene were a bullet slug of a 9 mm pistol, a cellphone, a black bonnet, P480 cash, and victim’s motorcycle.

An hour later, Antonio Amistoso, 40, was also killed by an unidentified assailant while sleeping inside Vertex Internet Cafe in Sitio Sudtunggan, Barangay Basak. Amistoso worked as a caretaker of the said Internet cafe.

Pantaleon said Amistoso was engaged in the illegal drug trade and was even advised by his aunt, one Paz Lontoc, to surrender and clear his name but he allegedly refused.

Responding Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation personnel rushed him to the hospital, but like Daitol, he too died along the way.

The police found three bullet shells of a .45 pistol, a deformed slug, a cellphone, a lighter and assorted keys at the place where Amistoso was gunned down.

Around 1 a.m. yesterday, Julijin Muana, 18, was also shot by an unknown assailant while he was sitting by the pavement in Maximo V. Patalinjug in Barangay Pajo.

Pantaleon said Muana was reported to be a drug peddler and at the same time a  pimp to commercial sex workers. Muana managed to seek help after he was shot and was brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City where he is now in stable condition.

It was not known if Muana was among those who turned themselves and promised to quit the illegal drug trade only to return.

Mayor Paz Radaza yesterday said drug personalities who could not keep their word might as well get out of Lapu-Lapu City.

She told a press conference that the city government believed in the efforts made by police under Operation Tokhang, but those who could not get away from the illegal drug trade and end up getting caught in buy-bust operations are “wasting” police efforts.

“Usik-usik sila sa panahon sa pulis, maypa moguwa sila sa Lapu-Lapu. They don’t have a place here sa Lapu-Lapu,” Radaza told reporters.

In operation Tokhang, which is a coined term for the Visayan words toktok (knock) and hangyo (beseech), the police would knock on the doors of suspected drug personalities and tell them to give up illegal drugs and turn themselves in.

There are already an estimated 1,500 drug “surrenderers” in Lapu-Lapu City, but the mayor said that only a few have taken the next step by submitting themselves to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for profiling.

A DSWD social worker said the person must fill out a form and would then be interviewed by a social worker. The person could then choose if he would opt to be rehabilitated or be integrated into a livelihood program.

The social worker said some alleged pushers who surrendered have jobs and could not find time to be profiled. But Radaza said they would evaluate the lack of cooperation and see what could be done.

“Wa man ta nagduwa-duwa ani. We’re serious on this thing. Ing-ana ta ka seryoso sa unsa atong matabang sa katawhan,” she said.

She added that the city government has been doing what it can, such as providing the “surrenderers” livelihood by coordinating with the City Social Welfare Services and others in the private sectors as well as therapy from religious groups.

With surrenderers going against the police request, Radaza said LCPO will still continue monitoring them with the help of the barangay officials.

She warns surrenderers that they will get arrested once the police will find out that they are still behind the drug trade.

“Ang police never stops even if ni-surrender sila. Nag-revalidate ang police para pagtan-aw nga ingon ana sila ka seryoso. They are still being monitored.... Ug magnegosyo man sila, mag-abot sila sa police,” Radaza said.

Radaza said that the police are monitoring the surrendered drug users or pushers to validate whether or not they have really left the illegal trade. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud, USJ-R Intern Kryzia Ann P. Casinillo (FREEMAN)