Three more killed in anti-drugs ops

CEBU, Philippines — Three drug suspects were killed in a shootout with police during a drug operation in Sitio Mananga, Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City dawn yesterday.

The three were identified as Norberto Larigo, Ryan Manaay, and Clifford Garcia Rabago, all alleged bigtime drug distributors.

Provincial Police Director Manuel Abrugena said they sold drugs in Talisay City and nearby municipalities.

“Mga notorious ito na mga illegal drug personalities and, also, they are responsible sa supply yung drugs sa mga immediate municipalities na kalapit ng Talisay City,” Abrugena said.

Talisay Police chief Marlu Conag said the suspects pulled their guns out when they noticed that their buyer were undercover cops.

To save themselves, the police fired back and shot it out with the suspects.

Police recovered a 9mm firearm, five live ammunitions, a loaded magazine, three fired cartridges of the caliber .9mm, and two triangular shaped sachets of shabu from Manaay.

They also recovered a .38 caliber revolver loaded with four bullets, one fired cartridge, 54 small sachets of shabu, six cellphones, drug paraphernalia, jewelry, and cash from Rabago.

From Larigo, they recovered a .38 caliber revolver with three bullets, a fired cartridge, and three sachets of shabu.

As of yesterday, the police’s crime laboratory was assessing the value of the shabu seized.

Abrugena said they traced the three suspects during a follow-up operation following the arrest of Chad Paul Ricamora Sta. Cruz and Robinson Adlawan.

Sta. Cruz and Adlawan were arrested with 10 bottles of Nubain, four small sachets of suspected shabu, and 14 syringes.

Based on Conag’s report, the three suspects reportedly had lookouts at the area in Sitio Mananga.

“Meron silang tinatawag na spotters, itong mga illegal drug personalities. During the course of operation, it so happened na when these illegal drugs personalities shot it out with our operatives, nagkaroon po ng pagkakataon na maka-cover ang ating mga police and ma-neutralize ito,” he said.

Aside from drugs, the three suspects were also reportedly involved in gun-for-hire activities.

Problem

The Police Regional Office-7 has acknowledged the persistent problem of illegal drugs in Talisay City, not just in Barangay Tangke.

“It means yung ganun kalaki na problema ng drugas. It just so happened na ngayon lang talaga nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na mag-focus ng operations in Talisay City,” said PRO-7 Director Debold Sinas.

Sinas is confident that the ongoing crackdown on illegal drugs, particularly in Talisay City, gives a dent in the drug operations in Cebu.

“We have to control the situation. I think we have dented sa supply didto. I encourage them to go on kasi pag-moundang sila, maging defensive na,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sinas said they expect the supply of illegal drugs to increase with the entrance of the election season.

“Yes. Actually ang sagot namo is very simple – yes, because elections, everybody needs funds… kabalo ka, kanang mga personalities nga kunwari mutabang-tabang sa lider, sige’g hatag ug pondo, wala ka kahibalo nga gikan na diay to sa illegal drugs,” Sinas said.

He said they have coordinated with other law enforcement groups, including authorities in ports and airports, to prevent any attempt to sneak drugs into the region. — JMO (FREEMAN)