2 dead in buy-bust operation

CEBU, Philippines —  Two men were killed after allegedly opting to shoot it out with policemen conducting a buy-bust operation before dawn last Saturday in Sitio Tabay, Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City.

The fatalities were identified as Jorge Malinao, of legal age, who was subject of the operation, and his accomplice Dixon Pacaldo.

Ronald Dacayana, another accomplice in Malinao’s alleged drug operation, surrendered to the police.

It was operatives of the Cordova police who carried out the operation after a certain “Michael” went to them to report about the illegal drug activities of Malinao.

The informant allegedly went to the Cordova police with the information so as not to jeopardize the operation.

When operatives arrived in the area, the companions of Malinao allegedly realized that they were policemen and opened fire. Policemen returned fire and the ensuing gunfight allegedly lasted around 20 minutes.

After the exchange ended, Dacayan surrendered and personnel of the Talisay Rescue Emergency Action Team (TREAT) tried to aid Malinao and Pacaldo to no avail.

Talisay City police chief  Police Major Orlando Carag Jr., said the operation was headed by Police Captain Efren Diaz of the Cordova police, although some of his own personnel assisted in the operation to ensure its success.

Recovered from the crime scene were the two guns used by the two fatalities to shoot at policemen, 14 grams of suspected shabu estimated at P95,000, and drug paraphernalia.

No one from the side of the police was reported hurt or killed in the incident. — BRP  (FREEMAN)