A BARANGAY councilor in Danao City and two other suspected drug pushers in Samboan were killed in separate drug busts last Sunday.
Police Regional Office (PRO) Central Visayas Director Noli Taliño said they have a list of narcopoliticians, barangay councilors, barangay captains and mayors who are allegedly involved in the drug trade.
“We have many names that’s why our campaign against illegal drugs is continuous and we’re monitoring their movements so that if they won’t surrender, we’ll subject them all to a police operation,” Taliño said in Tagalog.
Surrenderer
The fatality in Danao City was identified as Amador Capin, a barangay councilor of Guinacot.
The drug bust took place in his house in Barangay Malapoc.
A police decoy transacted with Capin using P500 as drug bust money. When he sensed police presence, he ran for cover and allegedly pulled out a gun and started shooting.
The operatives shot back.
Capin was rushed to the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Danao City but he was declared dead on arrival.
Taliño said that Capin was a high-value target because he was a government employee.
Provincial Board Member Carmen Durano-Meca, Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office head, said Capin did not stop selling drugs.
“He was on Danao City’s watchlist long before and he even surrendered during Oplan Tokhang, but unfortunately he did not stop his illegal activity,” she said.
Still liable
Taliño said a drug personality who surrenders during Oplan Tokhang does not mean he or she is cleared from any liability.
He said that what happened to Capin should serve as a warning to public officials who continue to sell drugs.
“No one is exempted from our anti-drugs operations, whether you’re a politician or a member of police. Several policemen have already been killed because they resisted arrest and even if you’re a citizen, you’re part of our campaign,” Talino said in Tagalog.
“Surrendering is not a passport or a ticket that will clear your name from the list,” he added.
Last week, Erwin Sarmiento, a councilor of Barangay Jubay, Liloan, Cebu, was gunned down by unidentified assailants.
He was reportedly connected to several drug personalities, including suspected drug lord Franz Sabalones.
Also last Sunday, two suspected pushers were killed during an alleged shootout with police in Sitio Kinabonbonan, Barangay Tangbo, Samboan.
The fatalities were identified as Romulo Lopez and Anthony “Totordz” Tancio.
The incident took place at 8:55 a.m.
Police allegedly recovered shabu with an estimated street value of P271,400 from the two.
They also found a homemade .22 revolver and a .357 Magnum from their possession.