Cebu ‘drug dealer’ slain in ambush

CEBU CITY — A suspected big-time drug dealer who police said had figured prominently in government watchlists, was killed in an ambush by two motorcycle-riding men at the north reclamation area here the other day.

Police said the victim, Rosamon de los Santos, 29, died from gunshot wounds in the head and body at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center where his driver, Jim Yaon, had rushed him.

Police suspect that the killing could be due to a drug deal gone sour.

In a privilege speech in 1997, Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco exposed De los Santos as allegedly engaged in illegal drugs.

The victim was also reportedly in the "order of battle" of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Paul Labra, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch of the city police, said De los Santos had long been known to be dealing in illegal drugs.

He said De los Santos was suspected of having taken control of illegal drug operations in Pasil following the arrest last year of the erstwhile kingpin there, Wilfredo Cabanit. — Freeman News Service