Leyte ‘drug group leader’ killed in shootout with policemen

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged leader of a drug group in Southern Leyte was shot dead after he allegedly resisted arrest and tried to shoot it out with policemen who were serving a warrant of arrest against him yesterday afternoon at Fairview Village, in Talisay City.

The police identified the suspect as Robert Dagting, in his mid-30s, who has a standing warrant of arrest for violation of Republic Act 9156, otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act issued by Sogod, Leyte Judge Elly Jacinto.

Operatives of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) of Region 8, in coordination with RDEU-7, conducted the operation against Dagting around 4:50 p.m. yesterday.

Police Regional Office-7 Regional Intelligence Division (RID)Head Jonathan Cabal said the suspect visited his relatives in Talisay City.  After getting that tip, the police spent about four to five days of surveillance operation against the suspect.

When the police served the warrant of arrest to the suspect, Dagting reportedly tried to aim his caliber 45 pistol to the police, but the police was quick enough to act before suspect can fire to them.

He added that the suspect is the leader of the Dagting drug group that is allegedly the number three in the whole Leyte region.

Dagting sustained several gunshot wounds in the different parts of his body.

"Allegedly, nilo-launder nila (relatives) ang drug money into properties.  We will look into that angle," Cabal said.

Meanwhile, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 operatives nabbed at least six alleged drug personalities in three separate buy-bust operations in Consolacion and in the province of Bohol over the weekend, yielding more than P300,000 worth of suspected shabu.

In Consolacion, operatives were able to arrest a businesswoman identified as Elineta Enanoria, 48, in Barangay Pulpogan yesterday dawn.

Seized from Enaroria’s possession were estimated 49 grams of suspected shabu valued at P245,000.

PDEA Spokesperson Leia Albiar said that Enanoria, considered a high-value target, owns a stall inside a mall in Consolacion and there is a possibility that she uses her business to cover-up her illegal drug trade.

Enanoria could allegedly dispose 100 to 300 grams of shabu per week.

Also arrested during the operation were Enanoria’s alleged cohorts, Jesus Gaspan, 56, and Edisa Torres, 44.

Both Gaspan and Torres allegedly had suspected shabu in their possession.

Meanwhile, PDEA 7 operatives arrested another three suspected drug personalities in two buy-bust operations in Tagbilaran, Bohol Saturday evening.

In the first operation at 7:20 p.m., the police arrested Jimmelito Arucay, 42, and his alleged cohort, Rinjun Pecore, 22, at North Avenue, Booy District.

The PDEA operatives were able to seize suspected shabu worth P10,000 from the suspects.

In the follow-up operation at Taloto District, Jaime Gumba, 39, who yielded suspected shabu worth P40,250, was also arrested.

Meanwhile, four street level targets were arrested by Minglanilla policemen in a series of buy-bust operations Saturday night.

The police arrested Carlito Caneda, 44, a resident of Sitio Colojan, and John Michael Sedon, 39, a resident of Sitio Buat, Barangay Tulay, around 10 p.m. last Saturday.

Caneda reportedly sold one small pack of suspected shabu to the police poseur buyer in exchange of P200.

They recovered another nine triangular packs from his possession, while his alleged cohort, Sedon, was also arrested after he was caught possessing eight small triangular packs of shabu and P290 believed to be his proceeds of the illegal drug trade.

Minutes later in Sitio Kolohan, two other drug personalities got arrested.

The suspects were Allen Bonajos, 57, and Rebecca Eran, 53, both residents of Barangay Tulay.

Bonajos transacted with the police poseur buyer and handed one small pack of suspected shabu for P200.

The police seized another eight small packs of suspected shabu and P350 believed to be proceeds of his drug trade.

While six packs of suspected shabu were recovered from Eran's possession. (FREEMAN)