Wednesday, June 28, 2006
2 cops shot by drug suspect in buy-bust fiasco
By Jovy S. Taghoy
CEBU CITY -- Two operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 were wounded in a foiled operation against illegal drugs in Sitio Simborio, Barangay Yati, Liloan, Cebu.
Before the day was over, a third policeman was also shot moments after he arrested a traffic violator on N. Bacalso Ave., Cebu City past 10 Tuesday night.
In the first incident, SPO3 Reynaldo Matillano and PO3 David Enterina, who were posing as buyers of illegal drugs, failed to anticipate that suspected drug pusher Jayve Miag-ao was armed with a pistol.
Before they could arrest him, two gunshots rang out. One of the bullets hit Matillano's abdomen, while the other found its way into Enterina's left hip and exited through his back.
Both policemen survived.
Details about a third policeman's condition were unavailable as of Tuesday. PO3 Allan Magalso was shot shortly after he stopped a motorcycle rider past 10 last night. The man he arrested, Glemar Calvento, said both he and Magalso had their backs to the unidentified gunman, who wore a mask.
Magalso was reportedly on his way home when he stopped Calvento for allegedly going the wrong way in a one-way street. Calvento said the policeman was shot twice.
Line of fire
In the first case, Chief Inspector Crisaleo Tolentino of the CIDG 7 told reporters that Matillano underwent surgery Tuesday morning to take the slug out of his abdomen.
Both Matillano and Enterina are recovering at the Chong Hua Hospital, Tolentino added.
He explained to reporters that the two policemen were not lax while conducting their operation, but just failed to anticipate that they were in danger.
Acting on a tip from a resident in Yati, Liloan about the alleged illegal drug trade of one Dante "Dansoy" Jalang, the CIDG 7 created a five-man team composed of Matillano, Enterina, SPO3 Domingo Conjurado, SPO1 Rodulfo Gabisay and Chief Inspector Fermin Armendares, the designated leader.
Armendares, in a press conference Tuesday, said that at 10 p.m. Monday, they started negotiating with Jalang to buy five grams of shabu worth P45,000.
Jalang allegedly agreed to get the order from his boss, whom he only identified as Jayve. Authorities later learned his surname was Miag-ao.
Delivery
Jalang reportedly told the operatives that Jayve himself would be the one to deliver the illegal drugs.
Both parties agreed to meet at midnight in Tayud, Consolacion.
Armendares' team coordinated with the Consolacion Police Station for backup before conducting the operation.
The suspects, however, reportedly changed the venue to Yati, Liloan, outside Jalang's house.
With Matillano and Enterina as decoys and the rest of the team about five meters away, Miag-ao and a cohort were spotted standing near the fence of Jalang's house.
Miag-ao had partly covered his face with a sarong and positioned himself in a poorly lit area.
Unknown to the two policemen, Miag-ao was carrying a firearm and shot them before their negotiations ended.
Despite their injuries, Matillano and Enterina managed to shoot back, while the rest of the team rushed to their aid.
Chase
Matillano and Enterina were taken to the Chong Hua Hospital, while Armendares called for back up from the CIDG 7.
It was not confirmed whether Miag-ao was injured during the shootout, but judging from the bloodstains at the scene, Armendares said the suspect may have suffered gunshot wounds.
Around 2 p.m., Armendares, Tolentino and other CIDG 7 operatives proceeded to Danao City after receiving word that Miag-ao was taken to a hospital there.
The report, however, proved negative.
When the back-up operatives arrived Tuesday, they scoured the entire area and the nearby Barangay Tayud. They arrested Jalang, but failed to get Miag-ao.
Jalang was arrested for possession of a .38 revolver with four bullets and assorted drug sniffing paraphernalia.
Jalang, in an interview at the CIDG 7 headquarters in Cebu City, admitted ownership of the seized evidence. He also admitted he was a runner of shabu.
Market
Armendares said that Miag-ao was considered a "level two" illegal drug trader, meaning he could dispose of a minimum of 200 grams of shabu a week.
Miag-ao, the police said, sells shabu in Villagonzalo II, Tejero, Cebu City where he used to reside, in Talisay City and in Barangays Cansaga and Tayud in Consolacion town.
Armendares also showed reporters a copy of an arrest warrant against Miag-ao for a murder case, issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Sylvia Aguirre-Paderanga last Aug. 4, 2005.
Armendares said they will be filing frustrated murder cases against Miag-ao, while charges of illegal possession of a firearm and drug paraphernalia will also be filed against Jalang. (Sun.Star Cebu)
(June 28, 2006 issue)
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