Barok’s ‘hitman’ killed in shootout

CEBU, Philippines — An alleged hitman of drug lord Alvaro "Barok" Alvaro was killed in a "shootout" with operatives inside Danao City Police Station past midnight Tuesday.

Jerandy Mediquillo succumbed to three gunshot wounds to different parts of his body.

He was rushed to the hospital, but did not make it there alive.

Police Chief Inspector Cesar Misola, deputy police chief, said Mediquillo went to the station Monday at around 11:30 in the evening and posed as a member of the military looking for three intelligence officers.

Mediquillo, who was wearing an army shirt and camouflage pants, asked the desk officer on-duty for Senior Police Officer 1 Renante Manulat, Police Officer 2 Phil Restauro, and Police Officer 2 Mark Anthony Mata.

Mediquillo left when he failed to find them.

But he returned past midnight yesterday and barged into the intelligence unit's office where Restauro and other officers were staying.

Mediquillo allegedly pulled out his gun and opened fire.

The operatives, including Restauro and Police Officer 1 Arsie Hill Biatingo, retaliated, hitting Mediquillo thrice.

"Namukhaan niya (Mediquillo) ang isa mga police (Restauro). Tapos bumunot siya (Mediquillo) ng baril at nagpaputok sa ating police pero mabuti nalang hindi natamaan," said Misola.

Mediquillo was reportedly looking for the three police officers, who he believed were the ones hunting him for an alleged crime.

Mediquillo was allegedly the killer of Jose Manulat and his wife sometime in May 2016.

"May mga reports kaming natanggap na marami na siyang napatay pero walang naglakas-look na magsalita kasi takot ang mga tao sa kanya," Misola said.

He said Danao police are now looking into the reports.

Test

Moreover, a paraffin test was conducted on Mediquillo to determine if he had fired a gun.

The station also requested for a paraffin test on Restauro and Biatingo.

The service firearms of the two police officers were also submitted to the Crime Laboratory Office-7 for a ballistic examination.

"Under investigation sila (Restauro and Biatingo). Kinukuha na din natin ang surveillance footage malapit sa station," Misola said.

The recovered .45 caliber pistol from Mediquillo was also submitted.

Police also recovered a list of names, which were later traced as wanted persons in Tuburan town, from the suspect.

Security

With the incident, Danao police are looking at strengthening their security around the station.

All police were also instructed to remain vigilant at all times.

Misola said the incident should serve as a wakeup call for everyone.

"Wake up call na din ito na hindi makampante kahit nasa police station ka at huwag patulog-tulog," he said.

Operation

Meanwhile, a former drug surrenderer was shot dead by an unidentified gunman in Barangay Mantalongon in Barili town Monday dawn.

Saturnino Obiso, 30, was driving a motorcycle with his wife on board when the assailant waylaid them and shot him several times, resulting in his instantaneous death.

Police Officer 2 Jeffrey Alpas of Barili Police Station said Obiso had pending warrant of arrest for frustrated murder.

Seven empty shells of .45 caliber pistol, one empty shell and live ammunition of M14 ripple were recovered from the victim.

Police are looking into illegal drugs and personal grudge as possible motives in the killing.

Buy-Bust

In a separate operation, five persons, including a 16-year-old boy, were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Canjulao, Lapu-Lapu City over the weekend, resulting in the seizure of shabu worth P11,210.

Ramel Camus, 18; Larry Patac, 29; Proel Reducto, 20; and Emjeman Dulangon, 37, were newly-identified drug personalities.

Superintendent Mark Gifter Sucalit, chief of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office - City Intelligence Branch (LCPO-CIB), said Camus and the minor were the subjects of the operation.

The four suspects are now detained in LCPO-Holding Cell and are facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The minor, on the other hand, was turned over to the City Social Welfare Services for proper custody. (FREEMAN)