Drug war: 4 suspects slain

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Four alleged drug pushers were killed in anti-drug operations in Laguna, Batangas and Oriental Mindoro on Monday.

Deticio Ponciano, alias Pot-Pot, was shot dead after he reportedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to undercover agents in Sitio Pianson, Barangay Barandal, Calamba City.

Superintendent Joselito de Sosto, city police chief, said the fatality was the most wanted drug personality in Laguna.

Ponciano’s cohort, Elmer Dimaano, 40, and Eunice Eliorda, 23, who were both on the drug watchlist, were arrested.

In Batangas, two men known only by their aliases of Tiong and Jojo were killed in alleged shootouts with anti-narcotics agents in Barangay Don Luis, San Jose.

A caliber .38 revolver, a hand grenade and P500 in marked money were reportedly recovered from the fatalities.

Reynaldo Medillo, alias Bay, shot it out with police officers in a drug sting in  Sitio Minolo, Barangay San Isidro, Puerto Galera, Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Licup, Mimaropa police director, said.

P5 million shabu seized

In Cebu City, police said around a kilo of shabu with an estimated street value of P5 million were recovered from Hubert Plarisan, 22; Orville Quijada, 21, and a 17-year-old in a drug bust in Barangay Mabolo at around 9 p.m. on Monday.

The suspects also reporterly yielded a Toyota RAV 4.

Nine grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P61,200 were reportedly recovered from “high-value” suspect Jonel Gonzales, 34, in Barangay San Isidro, Kidapawan, North Cotabato yesterday.

PDEA applicants

Meanwhile, at least 145 applicants as agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) started their training at Camp Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite yesterday.

The agent-trainees consisting of 127 men and 18 women had earlier taken their oath before PDEA officer-in-charge Ismael Fajardo.

The recruits will undergo a comprehensive and rigorous training program on drug law enforcement.

A total of 1,305 persons took the qualifying examinations and screening processes, including neuro-psychological examination.

“PDEA is training and molding a new breed of drug-busters with these 145 agent-trainees,” Fajardo said.

PDEA spokesman Derrick Arnold Carreon said successful applicants would get a monthly salary of P20,589 and P2,000 in personal economic relief allowance. – Emmanuel Tupas