2 killed, 5 arrested in separate buy-busts

CEBU, Philippines - Two people were killed and five others were arrested, including a barangay worker, in separate anti-drug operations conducted by the police.

 Suspected drug pusher Jobert Tilano and his cohort Arjun Sampan died during an alleged shootout with the members of the Danao City Police Station Tuesday afternoon. The police operatives led by Senior Inspector Alejandro Batobalonos conducted a buy-bust operation against Tilano in Sitio Taboc, Barangay Poblacion when the suspects allegedly fired at them.

Batobalonos said a brief chase ensued after the suspects went inside the house. He said they introduced themselves as police officers and asked the suspects to surrender but the two instead fired upon them.

Batobalonos said they were forced to return fire resulting in the deaths of the suspects. The suspects were rushed to Cebu Provincial Hospital in Danao City where they were declared dead on arrival.

 The police recovered a caliber .357 and .38 revolvers from Tilano and Sampan, respectively, aside from the P1,000 cash, P7,000 buy-bust money and several packs of shabu.

Batobalonos said Sampan is wanted for robbery and has a pending warrant of arrest.

The police also arrested during the operation three people allegedly sniffing shabu. They were identified as Roly Samson, 27, of Togonon, Danao City; Jonie Valeroso, 33, of San Francisco, Camotes; and Charlie Luchavez, 36, of Looc, Danao City.

In another operations, members of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office arrested Rosita Bragat, 64, and Demski Pepito last Wednesday.

Bragat, a barangay clean and green worker, was caught during buy-bust operation selling a pack of shabu to undercover policeman in Sitio Sacred Heart Village, Barangay Gun-ob. The police seized P75,670 worth of shabu from her possession.

"Dugay na na siya gi-reklamo didto sa (Sitio) Sacred Heart. Naa ni siya'y previous case pag 2014, section 11. Si nanay, ato ni siyang gi-monitor kay ato ni siyang na-consider nga high-value target, dugay na namaligya dinha. Key member sad siya sa usa ka drug group," said Senior Inspector Joey Bicoy, deputy chief of the intelligence branch of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

Bragat is number six on the list of drug personalities in the city.

 "Sa atong pag-pangutana, pag-interview nato, mogamit siya'g mga minor. Siguro, nakabalo sila nga ang minor dili makasohan. Naa sa mga 15 ang edad, mao'y ilahang runner, maoy ilahang suguon," Bicoy said.

Pepito, a former neighbor of Bragat, was also arrested in Purok Kaimito, Barangay Canjulao.

"Connected ni sila didto, gikan ni siya sa Sacred Heart. Kini siya notado pud ni siya nga manguha, mangawat. Gi-reklamo na sad ni sa barangay, naa kuno siya'y previous case sa una section 12," Bicoy added.

Meanwhile, a 39-year-old man was shot dead Wednesday evening by still unidentified assailants in Barangay Labogon, Mandaue City.

John Hope Corbo, who is also said to be involved in illegal drugs, died on the spot after one of the assailants shot him several times.

Police Officer 1 Ravinzoro Anor said the victim was having dinner with his family when the shooting happened.

The unidentified assailants barged into the house of the victim with their faces covered with cloth. Homicide investigators found four empty shells and one live round of ammunition for caliber .45 pistol at the crime scene.

"Maoy ingon sa silingan nga ga-duwa gyud ni siya," Anor said.

The police, however, are still verifying the information from their list of suspected drug personalities.

"I-check pa namo kung ni-surrender ba siya," Anor said. (FREEMAN)