4 killed in drug buy-bust operations over weekend

CEBU, Philippines - Four people were killed in separate anti-drug operations conducted by the police in the cities of Danao and Carcar over the weekend resulting in the confiscation of over P300,000 worth of shabu.

Suspected drug pusher Wilfredo Quimbo and two of his alleged cohorts, Jerome Austria and Benjamin Pepito, were killed during a shootout with the operatives of the Danao City Police Station past noon yesterday.

 Senior Inspector Alejandro Batobalonos, Danao City Police Station chief, said they were conducting buy-bust operation against Quimbo in Sitio Pagutlan, Barangay Maslog at 12:25 p.m. when the latter shot the undercover policeman.

Batobalonos said Quimbo was able to uncover Police Officer 3 Phil Restauro's real identity while the transaction was ongoing prompting him to shot the policeman acting as poseur buyer.

Restuaro survived because he was wearing a bullet proof vest. The other members of the team immediately came to the rescue resulting in a running gun battle with Quimbo's cohorts also trying to help him.

The three suspects were rushed to the hospital after the shootout but they were all declared dead on arrival.

The operatives were able to recover from Quimbo's possession one caliber .45 pistol with one magazine loaded with four live rounds of ammunition, one large plastic sachet of shabu, cellphone, P200 buy-bust money, and P300 cash.

The police also recovered one caliber .357 revolver from Austria while a caliber .38 revolver was found in Pepito's possession. A total of 31.54 grams of shabu were recovered from the three suspects with an estimated value of P372,172.

Batobalonos said Quimbo voluntarily surrendered before him on July 9 after he was subjected to Oplan Tokhang. After his surrender, Quimbo allegedly continue his illegal activities.

"They believe that if they voluntarily surrender they will be cleared but they were wrong because they can be subjected to operation if they will continue," Batobalonos  said.

Meanwhile, another suspected drug pusher was also killed during a police operation in Carcar City last Saturday.

Philip Dender Tañica, resident of Sitio Katugasan, Barangay Perrelos, was shot dead after he allegedly fired shots at the undercover policeman during a buy-bust operation.

Police Officer Francisco Saberon Jr., who acted as poseur buyer, said the suspect drew his caliber .45 pistol and shot him. He and his companion, PO1 Roy Repolidon, were able to hide and return fire resulting in the death of the suspect.

The police recovered several packs of shabu from the suspect. (FREEMAN)