In Central Visayas: 180 drug suspects killed since “Tokhang” started

CEBU, Philippines - At least three people, on the average, are killed everyday in the past two months since the police started "Oplan Tokhang" in Central Visayas.

Police Regional Office-7 reported that a total of 180 suspected drug personalities in the region had been killed either in legitimate police operations or by unidentified assailants.

PRO-7 director Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño said 82 of those fatalities were killed during police operation while 98 were killed by unidentified gunmen.

He said there were 40 individuals killed in legitimate police operation last July while 33 were killed by unknown assailant. Taliño said there were also 42 suspected drug personalities killed by the police in August and 65 were gunned down by unknown gunman.

The police official, however, clarified that all of those killed by unknown assailant were involved in illegal drugs either as peddler or user.

Taliño claimed that based on their initial investigation, some of those killed outside police operation were liquidated by their comrades in the illegal drug operation.

"Yun ang isang nakikita natin. Sila-sila yung nagpapatayan, sa amin napapadali yung trabaho natin diba? Kasi yun nga nagkakaroon sila nga pagdududa sa bawat isa, sa bawat grupo kaya sila mismo ang nagpapatayan," Taliño said.

He denied that a vigilante group was behind the spate of "extra-judicial killings" in Central Visayas. According to him, they will not allow vigilantes to operate here.

 "Lahat naman yun, lahat yung death under investigation killed by unidentified assailants are all drug personalities, mga drug pushers," Taliño said.

The Commission on Human Rights-7 said it has monitored at least 172 cases of drug-related killings across the region.

Leo Villarino, officer-in-charge of CHR-7 Investigation Division, said the commission has started looking into these cases. He, however, said that those cases with probable witnesses were given priority.

Villarino admitted having difficulty in investigating some cases for lack of witnesses. He said there are at least 40 out of 172 cases that they are concentrating on because it has witnesses and complainants.

In Mandaue City, the family of the father and son who were killed during a buy-bust operation last Monday is planning to seek the assistance of the CHR-7.

Jerome Abad, 43, and his son, Junmar, 22, were killed during an alleged shootout in Barangay Paknaan.

The family claimed that there was no buy-bust operation. They also alleged that the money and jewelry of the victim were stolen.

"Wa'y nahitabong buy-bust operation kay miadto ang operatiba sa panimalay. Si Jerome sayo nga natulog kay hubog. Wala pud gikuptang drogas si Jerome kay nahurot naman duha ka adlaw sa wala pa ang operasyon," said one of the relatives.

Meanwhile, a known drug personality in Medellin was injured after he was shot by the police during an anti-drug operation last Tuesday.

The police were out on a buy-bust operation against suspected drug pusher Regie Noynay, 25, in Barangay Tindog when they chanced upon Francis Mercader who is wanted for illegal possession of firearms and illegal drugs.

Mercader allegedly drew his gun, prompting the police to shoot him in the leg.

Police Officer 1 Rosano Queddeng said Noynay was also arrested during the operation. The police seized 11 small packs of shabu from Noynay while a caliber .357 revolver was recovered from Mercader. (FREEMAN)