In operation that hurt 3 civilians: Cop’s wife also killed

CEBU, Philippines - The wife of PO3 Ryan Quiamco, the alleged drug protector who was killed in a police operation Tuesday night in Talisay City, died after getting hit during a shootout with cops.

Rizalyn Quiamco was pregnant.

Jonathan Cabal of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) said doctors declared Rizalyn dead on arrival at the hospital where she was brought.

The couple was inside their Isuzu D-Max during the busy-bust operation that ended with an exchange of fire between Quiamco and the RID and Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) operatives.

Ryan was killed on the spot.

“Iyung wife ni Quiamco was also involved in illegal drugs. We had reports na everytime na mayroong drug dealing itong si Ryan, the wife is with him. So, unfortunately nga, when we tried to bring her to the hospital, she expired,” Cabal said.

Quiamco was among the five police officers in Central Visayas tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Yesterday, Cabal denied the operation was a rubout.

“That was a legitimate operation. We have been receiving reports na he is into illegal drugs,” he said.

He said the plan was to “neutralize” Quiamco so he could disclose his cohorts but Quiamco reportedly fired first when he realized he was transacting with authorities.

Aside from the couple, a cop identified as PO3 Jemmuel Villaflores was also injured and is now recuperating in the hospital.

Cabal said the actual bust happened in Barangay Mojon but when Quiamco sensed the cops’ presence and exchanged fire with the police, he reportedly drove to Barangay Pooc. Cabal said his wounds might have forced Quiamco to stop the vehicle.

Aside from the packs of shabu and a gun, the operatives also recovered checkbooks, a laptop, cellphones, and receipts from Quiamco’s car.

The receipts reportedly show several transactions between Quiamco and different people, among whom is a former high ranking police officer, an information that will merit further investigation, Cabal said.

 The cellphones and laptop will be subjected to forensic examination.

Civilians

Three civilians were hurt during the exchange of fire.

Nido Dela Cerna, 40; Aimee Ragas, 27; and a 12-year-old girl were passing by the area when the shootout ensued.

Dela Cerna was hit in his right thigh, Ragas was hit in her left arm, and the girl was hit in her right leg.

One of the girl's cousins she was walking with at that time was lucky enough to be carrying a backpack, which protected him from getting hit by another bullet.

Felipa Solana, head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office of Talisay, said the city will assess the needs of the three so it can provide the assistance necessary.

Background

Quiamco allegedly started as drug protector and eventually ventured into the trade.

Aside from sourcing supply from the Sabalones group, Quiamco also allegedly sourced his supply from the Parojinogs in Mindanao.

He allegedly travelled to Osamiz City from time to time, Cabal said.

Quiamco allegedly disposed of his supplies in Cordova, Minglanilla, Sibonga, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, Naga, Carcar, and Cebu City.

Cabal said they have monitored Quiamco closely and found out that he continued his illegal activities even after he was relieved from his post at the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) after he was named by Duterte.

He was assigned temporarily at the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) since August 2016.

Cabal said Quiamco was actually a subject of a buy-bust in 2014 but the operation failed after the informant was killed by Quiamco’s rival in the drug trade.

The rival, Manuelito Sencil, was killed during a police operation in Talisay City on August 3.

Quiamco and Sencil allegedly sourced their supplies both from Sabalones and the Parojinogs.

Properties

Cabal said they will work on forfeiting the properties of the Quiamco couple, including four houses, several cars, and farms in Bohol and San Fernando in Cebu.

The couple lived in a high-end subdivision in Talisay, which was questionable considering their unstable sources of income.

Quaimco was also charged before the Office of the Ombudsman by the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) following questionable results of a lifestyle check. — with Iris Mariani B. Algabre (FREEMAN)