Cebu drug suspect killed in Bohol ops

CEBU, Philippines - Three suspected drug personalities, one of whom reportedly operated in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City, were killed while another was wounded in a shootout during an anti-drug operation in Banacon Island, Getafe, Bohol dawn yesterday.

Of the three, police identified Rowen Secretaria alias "Yawa," reportedly one of the 10 most wanted drug personalities in Cebu City. The two other fatalities remained unidentified as of yesterday.

The one who was wounded was identified as Ricardo Postolana, 26, of Calitaban Island, Talibon, Bohol. He was brought to the Governor Gallares Hospital in Tagbilaran City.

Police Regional Director Patrocinio Commendador said the policemen monitored the activities of Secretaria in Banacon Island days before they hatched the operation at around 4 a.m. yesterday.

The operation was the third police carried out against Secretaria, Commendador said, as the suspect always managed to elude arrest.

He said this was also the reason why they decided to go to the island at dawn to take advantage of the dark.

The joint operation was carried out by operatives of the PNP Regional Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group-7, Regional Public Safety Battalion-7, Cebu Provincial Intelligence Branch, and other police units.

The team recovered a KG-9 submachine pistol, a .45 caliber pistol, and two .38 caliber revolvers from the suspects.

Yesterday, mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña said he will give P50,000 to the units that killed Secretaria and an additional cash reward if the two unidentified suspects will be proven to be drug personalities in Cebu City.

"Mohatagkoog P50,000nga cash reward aronmadasiggyudangmga polis paghimo'g operation batoksamga drug personalities ugmahurotgyudangmga drug pushers," Osmeña said.

Drug busts

Meanwhile, in Cebu City, operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 seized shabu worth P1.2 million during a buy-bust operation at the Taboan Public Market in Barangay San Nicolas Friday night.

PDEA-7 spokesperson Leia Albiar identified the suspect as Claudio Bontilao, Jr., 48, a resident of St. Jude, Barangay Bulacao.

Bontilao allegedly could dispose of at least five kilos of shabu every week.

Aside from the shabu, the PDEA agents also confiscated three mobile phones; cash amounting to P1,600; and a green Nissan Sedan Bontilao used during the transaction.

Bontilao reportedly claimed his supply of the drugs came from no less than the National Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.

In a separate operation in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning, authorities seized shabu worth P500,000 from the house of Felix Camero, 53, in Camella Homes - Phase 2, in Barangay Pajac.

Police Senior Insp. Verniño Noserale, deputy chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Police, said the operation also led to the arrest of Joey Aying, 36, of SitioPajac Proper and Joseph Flor, 21, of SitioAbuno who were at Camero's house at that time.

They confiscatd three medium packs of suspected shabu from Camero, 10 small sachets from Aying, and seven small packs from Flor.

Camero allegedly has been in the drugs business for the past five months.

Aside from the shabu, police also confiscated drug paraphernalia and cash amounting to P3,500 from the suspects.

Noserale said the drugs confiscated is worth P187,000.

Shortly after the operation in Camella Homes, Noserale's men also arrested a certain Marvin Sarmiento, 32, at his rented room in Bankal Plaza in SitioMahayahay, Barangay Bankal at past 8 a.m.

Also arrested was Sarmiento's cohort, JanielJadman, 23.

As least five medium packs of shabu were seized from Sarmiento and a medium pack from Jadman estimated to worth P354,000.

Noserale said it was allegedly Sarmiento who supplied Camero with shabu.

In Minglanilla town, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group led by Chief Insp. Franco Oriol carried out a buy-bust operation that led to the arrest of one Ronnie Engbino.

Engbino was arrested with shabu worth P440,000.

Also arrested were Jayson Sabellon, RengieBatatas, Francisco Basabe, MontecilloDivina, and MajeyoLastimos but a certain Arnold Emgbino and Claire Montes managed to flee.

Oriol said they seized 110 grams shabu, cash amounting to P4,120, assorted drug paraphernalia, and the P200 bust money from the suspects. — With Christell Fatima M. Tudtud and Hazel Grace T. Namit, CNU Intern/JMO (FREEMAN)